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How to Write a Short Bio: 5 Examples and Templates

  • How to Write a Short Bio Part 1
  • What to Include in a Short Professional Bio Part 2
  • Example of a Formal Short Bio Part 3
  • Example of a Casual Short Bio Part 4
  • Examples of Well-Written Short Bios Part 5
  • Short Bio: Best Templates Part 6
  • Tips for Writing a Short Bio Part 7
  • Optimizing Your Bio for Different Platforms Part 8

A short bio is a concise and informative summary of your professional background, accomplishments, and personal interests. It’s an opportunity for you to introduce yourself to others, whether it’s for networking, job applications, or social media profiles. By writing a short bio, you allow others to quickly understand your expertise, strengths, and personality.

As you write your short bio, consider your audience and tailor the content accordingly. You might want to have different versions of your bio for varying contexts, such as a professional conference, a job application, or a social media platform. Regardless of the situation, strive to be authentic and maintain a tone that reflects your personality while also adhering to professional standards.

Part 1 How to Write a Short Bio

When writing a short bio, first focus on being concise and relevant. A short bio should be approximately 4-6 sentences or about 150 words. Be sure to highlight your achievements, experience, and expertise with confidence and clarity.

To start, introduce yourself briefly, including your name, title, and current role or profession. Next, mention your most significant accomplishments in your field thus far. This can include awards, certifications, publications, or any other relevant milestones. Discuss your current work and projects, providing the reader with a snapshot of your professional life. Make sure to emphasize your unique strengths and specialties. Then, touch upon your education or any other credentials that showcase your expertise.

“Jeremiah Smith, an award-winning graphic designer, specializes in creating visually stunning websites and marketing materials for a diverse clientele. With over 10 years of experience, Jeremiah has led branding projects for major corporations and small businesses alike, receiving accolades for his innovative design solutions. Currently, he serves as the Creative Director at X Design Studio, where he is dedicated to helping clients grow their digital presence. Jeremiah holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the prestigious Art Institute of Chicago.”

For a stronger impact, customize your short bio by tailoring it to the specific platform, audience, or purpose. By prioritizing information and emphasizing the most relevant points, you can create a brief, engaging bio that showcases your unique skills and accomplishments.

Part 2 What to Include in a Short Professional Bio

  • Your job title and current role : Start by mentioning your current role and the industry you’re working in. This helps to establish your expertise and gives readers an immediate understanding of your professional focus.
  • Career accomplishments and milestones : Highlight a few significant achievements in your career thus far. These can be successful projects, promotions, or awards you’ve received. Be specific about what you’ve accomplished and how it demonstrates your expertise.
  • Skills and qualifications : Briefly mention the key skills and qualifications you possess that make you an expert in your field. This can include technical abilities, soft skills, certifications, or degrees.
  • Interests and personal touch : Add a few personal details that showcase your interests and passions outside of work. This can humanize your professional persona and help you connect with readers on a more personal level. However, be careful not to share too much personal information.
  • LinkedIn and networking opportunities : Include a link to your LinkedIn profile or other professional social media accounts. This provides readers with an opportunity to connect with you and discover more about your background.

To present this information effectively, write your short professional bio in the third person and maintain a confident, knowledgeable, and clear tone of voice. Keep the content concise and easy to understand by breaking it into paragraphs and using formatting elements such as bullet points and bold text when necessary.

Here is one more example of a well-crafted short professional bio:

“John Smith is a seasoned marketing manager with over 10 years of experience in the tech industry. He currently leads product marketing efforts at X Company, where he has successfully launched new products and significantly increased market share.

John holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and is certified in digital marketing. His expertise includes strategic planning, content creation, and driving brand awareness through innovative campaigns.

In his free time, John enjoys hiking, photography, and volunteering at the local animal shelter. Connect with him on LinkedIn to learn more about his professional experience and accomplishments.”

Taking Into Account Personal and Professional Aspects

Try to strike a balance between your personal and professional aspects:

  • Make sure to mention any relevant professional accomplishments and skills that showcase your expertise in your field. If you are a student or a working professional, add details about your university, current position, or professional experiences that give readers an insight into your capabilities.
  • Don’t forget to add a touch of personality to your bio. Including personal details, interests, and hobbies will make you more relatable and create a connection with your audience. However, try to keep these personal elements brief and relevant to your overall bio. For example, if you are writing a bio for a personal website or Twitter, you could mention that you are an avid painter or a dedicated volunteer at a local animal shelter.

When writing in the second person, use short paragraphs to make your bio easy to read and understand. For instance:

  • Full name: Briefly mention your full name at the beginning of your bio.
  • Professional skills: List your core skills and accomplishments in bullet points or a table format.
  • Personal interests: Share some hobbies or interests related to your profession or that showcase your values.
  • Personal goals or mission statement: Include a sentence or two about your professional philosophy and core values to give readers a sense of your personal brand.

Related: How to Write a Personal Mission Statement (20 Examples)

Be cautious with the contact information you provide, especially if your bio will be accessible to the public on your personal website or social media profiles. Make sure only the necessary details are included to avoid any privacy concerns.

In summary, your short bio should be a reflection of both your personal and professional self. Showcase your skills and accomplishments while adding personal touches to make it engaging and relatable. Keep the text concise, use appropriate formatting, and remember to maintain a confident, knowledgeable, neutral, and clear tone throughout your bio.

Related: What Are Your Values? How to Discover Your Values

Selecting the Tone for Your Short Bio

Selecting the right tone for your short bio is crucial to portraying yourself in the way you want to be perceived. Consider the context in which the bio will be read and choose a tone accordingly. There are two main tones you can adopt: formal and casual.

Part 3 Example of a Formal Short Bio

Formal Tone : If you’re writing a bio for a professional context, such as a job, conference, or publication, opt for a formal tone. This means using more sophisticated language, avoiding slang, and maintaining a professional vibe throughout the bio. To achieve this, write in complete sentences, utilize proper grammar and punctuation, and highlight your achievements and expertise. Be sure to remain confident and clear in your writing. Example: “Dr. Jane Doe is a renowned expert in the field of molecular biology, with over 15 years of research experience to her credit. As the recipient of several prestigious awards, Dr. Doe’s groundbreaking work has had a significant impact on the scientific community.”

Part 4 Example of a Casual Short Bio

Casual Tone : A casual tone works well for less formal situations, such as bios on personal websites, blogs, or social media profiles. Here, you can use more relaxed language and showcase your personality. However, it’s still important to sound knowledgeable and approachable. Feel free to use contractions, incorporate humor, and speak directly to your audience to create an engaging tone.

“Hey there! I’m John, a travel enthusiast who loves exploring new cultures and tasting exotic dishes. When I’m not backpacking across the globe, you can find me geeking out about the latest tech gadgets or sipping on a well-crafted cocktail.”

In both cases, whether formal or casual, always ensure that your voice is confident, neutral, and clear. Remember to keep it concise, avoid exaggeration or false claims, and maintain a second-person point of view.

Part 5 Examples of Well-Written Short Bios

Short bio example 1.

Jane Smith is a marketing expert with over 10 years of experience in helping brands elevate their online presence. With a passion for storytelling, Jane excels in creating content that engages and inspires. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, photography, and exploring her city’s local coffee shops. Connect with Jane on LinkedIn or follow her on Twitter @JaneSmith.

Short Bio Example 2

John Doe is an experienced software engineer with a knack for developing cutting-edge applications. Specializing in full-stack web development, John’s expertise lies in JavaScript, Python, and Node.js. When he’s not coding, John can be found playing the guitar, tutoring local students in programming, or cheering on his favorite esports team.

Part 6 Short Bio: Best Templates

Short bio template 1.

[Your Name] is a [industry or profession] expert with [number of years] of experience in [specific skills or areas of expertise]. [He/She/They] specializes in [technical skills or industry knowledge] and has a passion for [relevant interests]. In [his/her/their] free time, [your name] enjoys [hobbies or activities]. Connect with [your name] on [social media platforms] or through [his/her/their] website.

Short Bio Template 2

As a [occupation or field], [Your Name] incorporates [unique qualities or skills] to produce [specific type of work]. With a background in [relevant experience], [He/She/They] has been able to [achievement or accomplishment] through [personal path or passion]. When not [working or creating], [Your Name] spends [his/her/their] time [hobbies or activities], always seeking new inspiration.

[Your name] is a [profession or role] with a background in [relevant expertise or industry]. [He/She/They] earned a [degree] in [field] from [institution]. [Your name] has [number of years] experience in [profession/industry], providing [valuable service or skill]. Outside of work, [your name] enjoys [hobbies or personal interests]. Connect with [your name] on [social media platform] or visit [your website or portfolio].

Customize these examples and templates to fit your own unique skills, experiences, and personality. Using a second person point of view, focus on the key aspects you want your audience to know about. Be confident and transparent about your achievements and interests, and let your short bio speak for itself. Happy writing!

Part 7 Tips for Writing a Short Bio

  • Know your target audience : Consider the people who will be reading your bio and focus on the information that will be most relevant to them. Tailor your bio to best serve their needs and expectations.
  • Highlight your accomplishments : Share information on your achievements, awards, and notable experiences. This will give your audience an understanding of your expertise and success in your field.
  • Include your goals and mission statement : Tell your audience what drives you and what you hope to achieve. This can help create a connection with the reader and showcase your dedication to your work.
  • Maintain a professional tone : Write in a clear and concise manner, avoiding casual language and slang. A confident and knowledgeable tone will convey your competence in your field.
  • Keep personal information to a minimum : While you may choose to mention some personal tidbits, be mindful of what you share. Focus on information that enhances your professional image, rather than oversharing personal details.
  • Promote your brand and company : If you represent a business or have a personal brand, mention your company name and mission statement. This can help reinforce your brand identity and make a stronger impression on your audience.
  • Prioritize transparency and authenticity : Be honest about your experience and qualifications. Avoid exaggerating or making false claims in order to maintain trust with your audience.
  • Limit self-promotion : While it’s important to show off your accomplishments, be sure to keep the focus on meaningful information rather than excessive self-promotion. This will help engage readers and build credibility.
  • Use formatting to enhance readability : Break up your bio into paragraphs, use bullet points for lists, and bold text for important details. This will make it easier for your audience to read and understand your bio.
  • Include contact information : Provide a way for your audience to get in touch with you, whether it’s an email address, phone number, or a link to your website.

Part 8 Optimizing Your Bio for Different Platforms

On LinkedIn , focus on your professional achievements and skills. Use bullet points or a table to highlight your most significant accomplishments. Feel free to include any relevant certifications, courses, or awards. Remember that LinkedIn is a professional networking platform, so maintaining a professional tone is crucial.

For a resume , your bio should be concise and focus on summarizing your career history and specific expertise. Make it easy for potential employers to grasp your main strengths quickly. Use bold text to emphasize crucial information, such as your job title, years of experience, or industry-specific skills.

On a personal website , you have more freedom to express your personality and showcase unique aspects of your life. Consider adding anecdotes, hobbies, or personal achievements to give visitors a glimpse of who you are outside of your professional life. You can also touch on your professional capabilities but keep it concise.

For Twitter , keep in mind the character limit for bios and make every word count. Capture your profession or industry, and maybe add a touch of your personality or interests through emojis or hashtags. It’s common to see authors and celebrities mention their latest projects, books, or achievements here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the essential elements of a short bio.

A short bio should include:

  • Your name and current role or profession.
  • Brief background information including education and relevant work experience.
  • Notable accomplishments or skills relevant to your profession.
  • Personal interests or ambitions that showcase your personality.
  • A call-to-action, such as directing readers to your portfolio or LinkedIn profile.

How can I create a compelling short professional bio?

To create a compelling short professional bio, follow these steps:

  • Start strong with a clear and concise introduction.
  • Focus on your most relevant qualifications and experience.
  • Highlight key achievements and successes.
  • Provide a personal touch that showcases your unique attributes.
  • Keep it brief and easy to read, aiming for around 100-150 words.

What are some tips to make my short bio stand out?

  • Use vivid language and strong, active verbs.
  • Tailor your bio to your audience, emphasizing information that is most relevant to them.
  • Share a unique or unexpected personal interest to pique interest.
  • Edit and proofread your bio carefully, ensuring it is free of errors and reads smoothly.

How can I tailor my short bio to different contexts?

Adjust your short bio for different contexts by:

  • Focusing on relevant skills, experience, or accomplishments for each specific audience.
  • Adjusting the tone or language to suit the platform (e.g., more casual for a social media profile or more formal for a conference bio).
  • Emphasizing specific personal interests or accomplishments that align with the context or audience.
  • Updating your call-to-action as needed to direct readers to relevant content or profiles.

Related: 150+ Awesome Examples of Personal Values

  • 20 Inspiring Examples: How to Write a Personal Mission Statement
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The Best Short Professional Bios (Examples + Templates)

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Summary. To write a short bio you should first make an initial introduction introducing yourself in the first or first person. Your short bio should include your brand, your accomplishments, and your values and goals. Your short bio should be one to three short paragraphs or four to eight sentences long.

Knowing how to write a concise, informative, and interesting biography about yourself can help throughout various parts of the professional process. You can use your bio to capture the attention of potential employers or clients and convince them to choose to employ or work with you.

In this article, you’ll learn more about what goes into a short bio and how to write one, and you’ll also get to see some short bio templates and examples to help you get an idea of what yours should look like.

Key Takeaways

A short bio serves to introduce you, your achievements, and what you offer professionally to potential employers or clients.

It’s important to keep your bio brief so that readers stay engaged and will remember your main points.

You may need to adjust your bio for different audiences, as your clients may want to know different information than a recruiter would.

Talk about your skills and accomplishments in your bio, but don’t exaggerate them.

How to Write a Short Bio

What Is a Short Bio?

How to write a short bio, what to include in a short professional bio, short bio examples, short bio templates, tips for writing a short bio, writing a short bio faq.

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A short bio serves as your introduction to the professional world. In terms of finding or expanding on your job, a bio will cover your:

Work history

Achievements

Any other relevant professional information

Think of it as a professional memoir that a hiring manager or consumer can read and understand quickly. It’s usually about one to three paragraphs depending on experience.

There’s an emphasis on being succinct when it comes to writing a professional bio. This is because a bio is supposed to be a preface to attract recruiter attention and incline them to reach out for more information. Many readers will get lost or bored with a lengthy bio.

Using a short bio can be helpful across very different industries, from marketing to accounting, from psychiatry to sales.

You’re probably familiar with providing short bios on social media websites and applications. While the information and skills you include in a professional bio may differ, the general formatting is similar.

There’s a lot of considerations to take into account when writing a short bio, and it can quickly become intimidating. Deciding what information is relevant and how to keep it near 140 characters is no small task.

If you’re having difficulty writing a short bio, follow the outline below to craft an introduction that engages your reader.

Make an initial introduction. You can’t jump right into everything you’ve done and what you want to do in the future before introducing yourself.

Your bio’s first sentence should begin with your full name in the third person or introduce yourself in the first person and continue to briefly outline your most notable skills and accomplishments. It’s a good place to state your current job and employer.

Go deeper with what motivates you. Once you’ve catchily illustrated who you are in your short bio, you can use the second sentence to describe your motivations for your work.

Stating what drives you to do the work you do is essential to employers and customers alike. Whether you work as a physician or fitness consultant , there’s a reason why this is your profession, and you should explain that in your short professional bio.

Describe your accomplishments. Your short bio is for detailing why you’re the ideal candidate to be trusted with handling an employer or consumer’s business. By describing your prior accomplishments, you let them know what you could offer as an employee and how you’ve succeeded in the past.

While you should avoid sounding braggy, the reader is looking for information about what your qualifications are , and your accomplishments generally measure these qualities.

Even though you could probably go on for ages about the details of your accomplishments, save that for an interview . In a short bio, only include the most impressive of your achievements to outline.

Accomplishments relevant to a short bio could include:

Impressive results on a project

Former promotions

Awards received in your field

Certifications received

Include contact information. The purpose of a short bio as either a business or a job seeker is to inspire the reader to reach out. Without contact information, this pursuit becomes futile. Make sure your short bio has some way to contact you at the end.

Relevant contact information may include:

Phone number

Professional networking profile

A short professional bio includes:

Your full name. You can choose to write your bio in the first person (I, me, my) or third person (he, she, they), but either way, you need to include your full name at some point. Branding doesn’t work so well without a brand name (i.e., you!)

Your brand. Of course, if you have an actual brand that you’re trying to market, you should include the brand name as well.

What you do. Summarize what you want the reader to know about what you do in one sentence — tricky, we know.

Your accomplishments. For a short bio, you can stick with just one major accomplishment from your professional life. Or, if you have a string of impressive achievements, try condensing all of them down to one sentence.

Your goals and values. Let the reader know what makes you tick — why do you do what you do and what do you hope to achieve with your work? People are compelled by a story more than anything else, so it’s important to get this part right.

Something personal (optional). If you have a quirky tidbit about yourself you’d like to include, go for it. Just make sure it doesn’t throw off te the tone of the rest of your bio.

Contact info (optional). If your bio is serving as a call-to-action to drum up business or get leads on job opportunities, it makes sense to include your contact information at the end of your bio. It’s not necessary if that information is available elsewhere on the page , though.

Entry-Level Job-Seeker Bio Example

Mitchell Morrison is an upcoming video producer and editor who believes in the art of visual organization. He is a recent graduate from the University of Washington and focused on post-production during his time studying there. He was introduced to the magical world of visual art production by watching his father work on editing commercials growing up and has been working towards his dream of becoming a video editor ever since. During his last year of college, Mitchell participated in a competitive internship with Digital Space Films. He was chosen out of 2,000 applicants based on his academic portfolio and personal statement essay. This internship was an incredible learning experience and resulted in three professional accreditations for music video editing. Mitchell currently lives in Seattle, Washington pursuing freelance opportunities and spending time with his Dog, Pikachu. To get into contact with Mitchell: MitchellMorrisonVideo.com/contact

Working Professional Website Bio Example

Lisa Kennedy is an experienced real estate professional. She knows how important a home is for long-term happiness and has invested her career in putting people in the house they’ve always dreamed of. Lisa was driven to pursue real estate from her passion for helping people during life-altering times, and a keen interest in high-end, luxury homes. She’s been working in the real estate industry for ten years and in that time has assisted over 3,500 people in finding homes. She was educated at the University of Los Angeles with a bachelor’s in business management. She’s worked for some of the most respectable Real Estate companies in Los Angeles and individually under her agency “Kennedy Homes.” Lisa has also been published in Real Estate Quarterly Magazine as the 2017 winner of the “Top Luxury Home Seller” award. Lisa loves the culture of Los Angeles and has been living there with her family of five since she graduated from college. She enjoys spending her free time exploring towns along the West Coast and swimming. If you’d like to get in touch with Lisa: Email: [email protected]

Professional Networking Profile Bio Example

Bianca Jones Marketing Manager Miami, FL The first step towards customer satisfaction is being reached by stellar product marketing, and that’s what I aim to provide. My professional experience as a product marketing manager has allowed me to assist many organizations in improving their sales margins and audience response to emerging products. I’ve brought dedication and positive results to the companies I’ve worked for because I am passionate about product perception, marketing, and business statistics. What drives a product to success interests and inspires me. I specialize in long-term growth strategies and audience outreach. In addition to eight years of experience in professional product marketing, I have also published two books on creating a career as a marketer called “What to Do After Your Bachelor’s” and “A Marketer’s How-To.” If you’re interested in learning more about how to market your business better, or just discuss more, feel free to contact me by email at [email protected].

Your first choice is whether you want your bio to be written in the third person or first person. These short bio templates show both options, and also include different ideas for what to include, and how. Feel free to pick and choose your favorite parts of each of the two.

[Full Name] is a [job title] who [believes/knows] in the power of [what you do]. [He/She/They] began their journey in [field] by [how you got started in the field], and now dreams of [what you hope to accomplish]. [His/Her/Their] biggest accomplishment to date has been [your biggest accomplishment]. [Full Name] lives in [where you live] and participates in [a hobby/interest]. To get in touch with [Full Name], call/email/message me on [how you’d like to be contacted].
I am a [job title] who helps [who you help] [what you help them do]. It’s my belief that [your unique perspective on the field]. In the past [# of years] years, I’ve [major accomplishment #1] through [how you accomplished it]. I have a passion for [your professional passion], but on the side, I also enjoy [personal passion]. Get in touch with me today at [contact info] — I look forward to talking with you about [what you want to talk to your readers about].

You have a firm grasp of the structure of a short bio and what to include. Now, you may need some tips for how to polish your short professional bio and make it stand out from the competition.

Be mindful of length. While you’re probably getting sick of hearing that your bio should be short, it’s good to keep in mind throughout the writing process. It’s easy to go off on a tangent while trying to include everything relevant or rationalize, making your bio too long.

Avoid this impulse. The point of a bio is that it’s limited. You want to intrigue the reader enough to inspire them to seek more information about you or your services.

Tailor your bio to your intended audience. Whether you’re using a short bio to attract a particular customer base or potential employer, tailoring it to fit their wants and needs is crucial. Consider your intended audience base and what they’re looking for in a candidate or service.

Be genuine. Your short bio should be an authentic representation of your traits, experience, and personality. People are repelled by what they interpret as stretching the truth. If you’re being received as disingenuous by the reader, they’ll probably move on.

Proofread. The only way to steer clear of errors in your short bio is by proofreading it. Imagine a hiring manager being completely interested in your bio.

They love what you have to say about yourself and find your prior experience enticing. That is, until they come across a mistake that clearly shows you didn’t do proofread or edit.

Include links to your portfolio, website, or networking profile. One way to circumvent the confining factor of keeping your bio short is by including links to more detailed sources.

This can be in the form of linking your portfolio or website to allow the reader to go deeper into your discussed skills if they please, without taking up more space in your bio.

Implement these links seamlessly into your bio by attaching them to anchor words that describe what clicking will lead them to.

Add some personality. You aren’t the only person who has an impressive list of accomplishments to put on a bio, so you’re going to need to find some additional ways to make an impression.

What should a short bio include?

A short bio should include your name, what you do, and your achievements. You should also include your company or product’s brand, if you have one, and your goals and motivations for doing what you do. This humanizes you and helps you stand out from the rest of the pack.

How long is a short bio?

A short bio is typically one to three paragraphs long. These should be short paragraphs though, as other experts say that between four and eight sentences is the ideal length for a short bio.

What makes a good bio?

A good bio is succinct and memorable. Readers don’t want to spend long reading about your professional and personal life, so go back and cut it down to the important parts multiple times after you draft it. You might be surprised at how little you actually need to include.

What should you avoid putting in a short bio?

You should avoid including anything negative or arrogate. It’s never a good idea to write anything negative about previous jobs or employers. Only include positive things in your professional short bio.

It’s important to include your achievements in a short bio, but there is a fine line between mentioning your achievements and bragging about them. Stick to the facts when talking about your accomplishments.

Fremont University – Building Your Professional Bio

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Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.

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27 of the Best Professional Bio Examples I've Ever Seen [+ Templates]

Lindsay Kolowich Cox

Published: December 20, 2023

As a writer, I have to let readers and potential clients know my expertise, my skills, and why they should work with me or be interested in what I say. So, a professional bio is a must in my industry.

Hands type at a laptop

Though I'm definitely familiar with professional bios, I can admit they can be challenging. What do I include? What do readers need to know?

As daunting as writing a professional bio can be, professional bios are crucial when applying for jobs, seeking new clients, or networking. A professional bio also gives the world a brief snapshot of you and your professional ideals.

If you‘re at a loss for how to write a professional bio that packs a punch, I’ve got you covered. In this journey, tools like HubSpot’s user-friendly drag-and-drop website builder can be instrumental in showcasing your professional bio online with ease and style.

I will walk you through how to write a professional bio that you can proudly publish, provide professional bio templates, and show you the best professional bio examples you can get inspiration from.

→ Download Now: 80 Professional Bio Examples [Free Templates]

What is a professional bio?

Professional bio templates, how to write a professional bio, best professional bio examples, how to write a short bio.

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A professional bio or biography is a short overview of your experience. Professional bios usually include details about education, employment, achievements, and relevant skills.

Purpose of Professional Bios

A bio tells an audience about who you are, what you've done, and what you can do. It can help potential employers, fans, or customers understand your personality and what you stand for.

Writing a bio without a clear starting point is challenging — believe me, I've tried. To ease the process, here are some templates I put together to get you started.

I‘ve found it’s best to keep your professional bio honest and to the point. Too long of a bio, and you risk losing your audience's attention. After all, audiences will only read a web page for less than a minute before clicking elsewhere.

And honesty is key because most consumers and clients won‘t invest in someone or something if it doesn’t seem trustworthy. In fact, 67% of consumers say they must trust a brand before investing in its products or services.

biography is short for

Download free, editable short and long professional bio templates.

What should a professional bio say?

No one wants to work with a clone — your professional bio should be as unique as you.

When writing your bio, include important professional roles and achievements. Add your passions, interests, and how you bring your values to your work. Finally, your bio should let readers know you and reflect your personality.

Here are the elements I recommend including when writing a professional bio:

Professional Roles and Achievements

It's essential to highlight your career roles and achievements in your bio. This can include your current position, previous roles, and notable accomplishments. It will help establish your expertise and credibility and start your bio on the right note.

Passions and Interests

This might be less essential, but it will help humanize you. Remember: Bios are shared via an impersonal medium, like a screen, and can sometimes feel distant if we don't take the proper steps.

Share your passions and interests, whether or not they relate to your work or industry. That way, you can show enthusiasm and dedication outside your professional life.

Plus, you could find common ground with readers — which is always beneficial.

Take a look at this short bio by HubSpot staff writer Erica Santiago.

biography is short for

"Plus," she adds, "I'm always happy to talk about my cats at any given moment. You never know when a fellow cat mom could be reading."

Values and Work Approach

Your values can sometimes show your work ethic more effectively than your career path. It can also help you endear yourself to employers and colleagues who want to work with people with similar values.

So don‘t be shy: Share how you incorporate your values into your work. Whether it’s a commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, or ethical decision-making, explain what drives you and be enthusiastic about it.

Your Personality

Remember: Your bio should always include a taste of your personality! Your sense of humor, creativity, or collaborative nature could all give readers a sense of who you are. This helps readers connect with you on a more personal level.

Remember to tailor your bio for different platforms and audiences. Also, keep it concise and impactful while highlighting the most relevant information in each context.

First-Person Bio vs. Third-Person Bio

While first-person bios are common, third-person bios can be more effective in formal situations.

Your decision to write your professional bio in the first or third person depends on your desire to leave a more personable or assertive impression.

Both approaches work, provided you tailor them to your goals and audience. What’s important is to be clear and tell your story in a way that connects with your reader.

How to Write a First-Person Bio

Writing in the first person can be a great way to connect with your audience when building a personal brand. When you write a first-person bio, use "I" or "me" to make yourself relatable and approachable.

Here's one way I’d write a first-person bio:

"I'm a freelance writer specializing in small business content. I've worked with companies in a variety of industries like home care to fine leather goods."

Speaking in the first person here connects you with a client or brand based on your experience and opinions. Put another way, writing a first-person bio is like telling your story to your audience.

Here are a few tips to make your first-person bio great:

Don’t start every sentence with "I."

Showing instead of telling is a great approach.

Let’s say you’re a writer who wants to create a short professional bio. Instead of saying, "I love to write," you can say, "Writer. Bad but enthusiastic dancer."

This portrays your writing skill, shows your personality outside of writing as a dancer, and includes a little sense of humor, which is essential for a writer.

Remember, you know yourself better than anyone.

Adding a back story to your bio helps create context for the roles and successes you write about. Think of it like a case study about who you were, what you are now, and the process that got you to your current position.

Focus on valuable details.

Quick facts about you can showcase your identity and values. For example, if you're writing a bio for LinkedIn, think about how to tie your hobby into what you do.

Let's say Animal Crossing is your hobby. Does it align with your career aspirations? It can be a great addition to your bio if you want to pursue a video game career.

However, if your interests lie elsewhere, including a more relevant hobby is better.

How to Write a Third-Person Bio

Third-person bios sound more authoritative and objective. So, if you’re job searching in a formal industry, applying for grants, or trying to get published, you may want to stick to the third person.

For instance, when you write a third-person bio, you may start with:

"Jasmine Montgomery is a Senior Hiring Manager at L’Oreal based in New York. She recruits across several business units to connect with the brightest talent from around the globe."

By only using your name and pronouns to speak about yourself here, you are letting your title and skill set speak for themselves.

These bios create distance between the subject of the bio (you) and the reader through a third person. This person could be anyone, but they usually speak in a tone emphasizing their expertise.

This makes third-person bios feel aloof or overly formal sometimes.

Ideally, your third-person bio should sound friendly but polished, like a message from a close colleague at work. Here are a few tips on how to write a great third-person bio.

Write from the perspective of someone you know and trust.

It can be challenging to write about yourself, so try to see yourself from the perspective of your favorite person at work or a mentor you trust. This can help you write from a position of authority without feeling self-conscious.

Show the reader why they should trust your opinion.

A professional bio often reflects a specific industry or niche. With this in mind, your text should include relevant details that professionals in your industry know. Avoid jargon whenever you can.

Remember, you're telling a story.

If you want a third-person bio, but you're used to writing in first-person, it may help to write it the most comfortable way for you.

Your professional bio is an essential piece of writing, so edit it carefully. Edit your writing from both points of view and see which works best for your target audience.

Here's how to write a professional bio, step by step.

  • Create an 'About' page for your website or profile.
  • Begin writing your bio with your first and last name.
  • Mention any associated brand name you might use.
  • State your current position and what you do.
  • Include at least one professional accomplishment.
  • Describe your values and how they inform your career.
  • Briefly tell your readers who you are outside of work.
  • Use humor or a personal story to add flavor to your professional bio.

If you’re anything like me, you probably don't think about your professional bio until you’re asked to "send one over via email."

You have one afternoon to come up with it, so you scramble together a bio that ends up reading like this:

"Rodney Erickson is a content marketing professional at HubSpot, a CRM platform that helps companies attract visitors, convert leads, and close customers.

Previously, Rodney worked as a marketing manager for a tech software startup. He graduated with honors from Columbia University with a dual degree in Business Administration and Creative Writing."

To be fair, in certain contexts, your professional bio needs to be more formal, like Mr. Erickson's up there. But there are also cases where writing a personable and conversational bio is good.

Whether you choose the formal or casual route, use the following steps to create a perfect bio.

1. Create an 'About' page for your website or profile.

You need an online space to keep your professional bio. Here are a few to consider (some of these you might already have in place):

  • Facebook Business page .
  • Industry blog byline .
  • Instagram account .
  • Personal website .
  • LinkedIn profile .
  • Industry website .
  • Personal blog .

As you'll see in the professional bio examples below, the length and tone of your bio will differ depending on the platforms you use.

Instagram, for example, allows only 150 characters of bio space, whereas you can write as much as you want on your website or Facebook Business page.

2. Begin writing your bio with your first and last name.

If your readers remember nothing else about your bio, they should remember your name. Therefore, it's a good idea for your first and last name to be the first two words of your professional bio.

Even if your name is printed above this bio (hint: it should), this is a rare moment where it's okay to be redundant.

For example, if I were writing my bio, I might start it like this:

Lindsay Kolowich

Lindsay Kolowich is a Senior Marketing Manager at HubSpot.

3. Mention any associated brand name you might use.

Will your professional bio represent you or a business you work for? Ensure you mention the brand you associate with in your bio. If you're a freelancer, you may have a personal business name or pseudonym you advertise to your clients.

Here are a few examples:

  • Lindsay Kolowich Marketing.
  • SEO Lindsay.
  • Kolowich Consulting.
  • Content by Kolowich (what do you think ... too cheesy?).

Maybe you founded your own company and want its name to be separate from your real name. Keep it simple like this: "Lindsay Kolowich is the founder and CEO of Kolowich Consulting."

4. State your current position and what you do.

Whether you're the author of a novel or a mid-level specialist, use the following few lines of your bio to describe what you do in that position. Refrain from assuming your audience knows what your job title entails.

Make your primary responsibilities known so readers can know you and understand what you offer to your industry.

5. Include at least one professional accomplishment.

Just as a business touts its client successes through case studies, your professional bio should let your audience know what you've achieved.

What have you done for yourself — as well as for others — that makes you a valuable player in your industry?

6. Describe your values and how they inform your career.

Why do you do what you do? What might make your contribution to the market different from your colleagues? What are the values that make your business a worthwhile investment to others?

Create a professional bio that answers these questions.

7. Briefly tell your readers who you are outside of work.

Transition from describing your values in work to defining who you are outside of work. This may include:

  • Your family.
  • Your hometown.
  • Sports you play.
  • Hobbies and interests.
  • Favorite music and travel destinations.
  • Side hustles you're working on.

People like connecting with other people. The more transparent you are about who you are personally, the more likable you'll be to people reading about you.

8. Use humor or a personal story to add flavor to your professional bio.

End your professional bio on a good or, more specifically, a funny note. By leaving your audience with something quirky or unique, you can ensure they'll leave your website with a pleasant impression of you.

Following the steps above when writing your bio is important, but take your time with one section. People consume lots of information daily. So ensure your bio hooks 'em in the first line, and you won’t lose them.

(P.S. Want to boost your professional brand? Take one of HubSpot Academy's free certification courses . In just one weekend, you can add a line to your resume and bio that over 60,000 marketers covet.)

Why Good Bios Are Important for a Professional

You may think, "How many people read professional bios, anyway?"

The answer: A lot. Though there's no way to tell who is reading it, you want it catchy. Your professional bio will delight the right people coming across it on multiple platforms.

Professional bios can live on your LinkedIn profile , company website, guest posts, speaker profiles, Twitter bio , Instagram bio , and many other places.

And most importantly, it‘s the tool you can leverage most when you’re networking.

Bottom line? People will read your professional bio. Whether they remember it or it makes them care about you is a matter of how well you present yourself to your intended audience.

So, what does a top-notch professional bio look like? Let‘s review a few sample bios for professionals like you and me. Then, we’ll cover bio examples from some of the best people in the industry.

Short Sample Bios

Your bio doesn't have to be complicated. Here are five samples to glean inspiration from.

Example 1: Friendly Sample Bio

"Hey! My name is Ryan, and I'm a marketing specialist passionate about digital advertising. I have five years of experience managing various online campaigns and improving brand visibility for clients across multiple verticals. I love analyzing consumer behavior and leveraging data-driven strategies to maximize ROI. Outside work, I enjoy traveling, taking funny photos, and exploring new hiking trails."

Example 2: Mid-Career Sample Bio

"Jennifer Patel is a versatile graphic designer known for her creative approach and attention to detail. With a background in visual arts and eight years of experience, Jennifer has worked on diverse projects ranging from logo designs to website layouts. Her ability to understand and translate client needs into visually striking designs sets her apart. Jennifer finds inspiration in nature, music, and pop culture."

Example 3: Sales Sample Bio

"I'm a seasoned sales executive with a track record of exceeding targets and building strong client relationships. With a background in B2B sales, I've built a natural ability to understand customer needs and consistently exceed quota every month. I pride myself in my communication skills and strategic approaches, which have helped me thrive in highly competitive markets such as SaaS sales. Outside work, I enjoy playing basketball and volunteering at local charities."

Example 4: HR Sample Bio

"I am a dedicated human resources professional with a passion for fostering a positive workplace culture and facilitating employee development. With eight years of experience in talent acquisition and HR operations, I've played a key role in building high-performing teams. I'm known for my strong interpersonal skills and ability to create inclusive and supportive work environments. In my free time, I enjoy practicing yoga and exploring new culinary experiences."

Example 5: Software Engineer Sample Bio

"David Chang is a senior software engineer specializing in backend development. With a strong background in computer science and six years of experience, David has successfully built scalable and efficient solutions for complex technical challenges. He is well-versed in various programming languages and frameworks like C++, Java, and Ruby on Rails. In his spare time, David enjoys reading science fiction novels and playing the guitar."

Below, we've curated some of the best professional bio examples we've ever seen on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and the various places you might describe yourself.

Check 'em out and use them as inspiration when crafting your own.

  • Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Author
  • Chima Mmeje: SEO Content Writer
  • DJ Nexus: DJ
  • Lena Axelsson: Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Mark Levy: Branding Firm Founder
  • Audra Simpson: Political Anthropologist
  • Marie Mikhail: Professional Recruiter
  • Wonbo Woo: Executive Producer
  • Chris Burkard: Freelance Photographer
  • Lisa Quine: Creative Consultant
  • Nancy Twine: Hair Care Founder
  • Trinity Mouzon: Wellness Brand Founder
  • Alberto Perez: Co-Founder of Zumba Fitness
  • Ann Handley: Writer and Marketer

1. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie : Author

Bio platform: personal website.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie begins her professional bio with an invitation to her roots.

In a few paragraphs, she describes when and where she was born, her family, her education, her honorary degrees, and the depth of her work, which has been translated into 30 languages and several publications.

biography is short for

She can keep readers engaged by leading with a powerful hook that aligns with her target audience’s marketing needs.

biography is short for
  • There’s clarity about who Chima serves.
  • The hook is bold, catchy, and compels anyone to read further.
  • Including client results makes clients visualize what they can expect.

3. DJ Nexus : DJ

Bio platform: facebook.

This New England-based DJ has single-handedly captured the Likes of over 2,000 people in and beyond Boston, MA. And even if you don‘t listen to the type of music he produces, it’s hard not to read his compelling Facebook bio.

For instance, consider his tagline, under "About" — " Quiet during the day. QUITE LOUD at night! " DJ Nexus tells you when he works awesomely. I got goosebumps just imagining a dance club where he might play music.

biography is short for

biography is short for

biography is short for

The second is the "long version," which is even more interesting than the first. Why? It reads like a story — a compelling one, at that. In fact, it gets hilarious in some parts.

The second sentence of the bio reads: "He was frightened of public school, loved playing baseball and football, ran home to watch ape films on the 4:30 Movie, listened to The Jam and The Buzzcocks, and read magic trick books."

Here's another excerpt from the middle:

biography is short for

biography is short for

biography is short for

It's a well-put value proposition that sets her apart from the rest of the HR industry.

Marie concludes her bio with a smooth mix of professional skills, like her Spanish fluency, and personal interests, such as podcasting and Star Wars (she mentions the latter with just the right amount of humor).

  • Straight off the bat, Marie uses a story to share her experiences of how she began as a recruiter.
  • It provides a subtle pitch for readers to check out her podcast.
  • The bio exudes Maries approachable, fun, and playful personality.

8. Wonbo Woo : Executive Producer

Wonbo Woo is the executive producer of WIRED's video content and has several impressive credits to his name. What does this mean for his professional bio? He has to prioritize.

With this in mind, Wonbo opens his bio with the most eye-catching details first (if the image below is hard to read, click it to see the full copy ).

biography is short for

biography is short for

I wouldn‘t necessarily be inclined to follow Chris if his bio had simply read, "I post beautiful images." But images that inspire me to travel? Now that’s something I can get behind.

Last, he ends on a humble, sweet note: "He is happiest with his wife Breanne raising their two sons." So inject personal information into your bio — it makes you seem approachable.

  • It highlights Chris’s achievement without bragging.
  • The last sentence portrays Chris as a responsible man who loves his family.
  • The well-written bio speaks to nature lovers who like the outdoors, surfing, and more. This gives them reasons to follow Chris.

10. Lisa Quine : Creative Consultant

Bio platform: portfolio website.

Creative professionals who specialize in visual art may find it challenging to balance the writing of their bio and displaying of their portfolio. Not Lisa Quine. Lisa has an exceptional balance of her professional bio and creative work.

Throughout her bio, you'll notice the number of murals she's completed and a brief timeline of her career. This helps her paint the picture of who she is as a professional.

biography is short for

The rest of her bio similarly focuses on Twine's strengths as someone who’s able to take hair care "back to basics."

biography is short for

Mouzon effectively grips the reader's attention with this introduction and then dives into some of her impressive accomplishments — including a brand now sold at Urban Outfitters and Target.

The language used throughout Mouzon's bio is authentic, real, and honest.

For instance, in the second paragraph, she admits:

"While building a brand may have looked effortless from the outside, starting a business at age 23 with no resources or funding quickly forced me to realize that early-stage entrepreneurship was anything but transparent."

biography is short for

As an avid Zumba fan, I was excited to include this one. Perez styles his LinkedIn bio as a short story, starting with his background as a hard-working teen who held three jobs by age 14.

His bio tells the fun and fascinating origin story of Zumba, in which Perez, an aerobics teacher in Florida at the time, forgot his music for class and used a Latin music cassette tape instead ... "And it was an instant hit!"

His bio continues:

"Shortly after he was connected to Alberto Periman and Alberto Aghion, and Zumba was officially created ... What started as a dream now has 15 million people in more than 200,000 locations in 186 countries who take Zumba classes every week."

biography is short for

biography is short for

There's something in there for everyone.

  • The last section of the bio shows Ann’s warm personality — "Ann lives in Boston, where she is Mom to creatures two- and four-legged."
  • Written in the third person, this bio has lots of proof (like followers), which shows Ann is a terrific marketing leader.

If you're posting a bio on a social media account or sending a quick blurb to a client, you want to keep it short and sweet while showcasing your accomplishments.

To get started, use these best practices for writing your short professional bio:

  • Introduce yourself.
  • State what you do.
  • Add key skills or areas of expertise.
  • Include a personal mission statement
  • Celebrate your wins.
  • Provide your contact information.
  • Show them your personality.

1. Introduce yourself.

Your introduction is your first impression, so always begin by telling people who you are. You may start with a greeting like, "Hello, my name is" or "Hi! Let me first introduce myself …" when sending your bio as a message.

If you’re writing a bio for an online platform, stating your name at the beginning works as well.

Leading with your name — even as a question — is important for recognition and building relationships.

2. State what you do.

Give people an idea of what you do daily and where you work. Your job title is how the people put you into context and consider whether your profession relates to their industry.

So detail your most relevant work in your short bios, like CEO, professor, and author.

Take a cue from Angela Duckworth , who specifies what she does in her LinkedIn bio:

biography is short for

3. Add key skills or areas of expertise.

If you send a bio to a client or potential employer, highlight your most valuable skills. For instance, if your expertise is in social media marketing and content creation, like Ivanka Dekoning , list these skills.

biography is short for
  • A joke. "Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. At least that’s what I learned when I created…"
  • Mention a hobby. "I’ll be honest: for me, tennis is life — Go Nadal!"
  • A fun fact. "Every year, I watch 100 new films! I’m a cinephile and love every movie genre."
  • A few emojis related to your interests. "🎶🤖🎾🎬🎭"

Whichever way you choose to get personal, give people a glimpse into who you are as an individual.

When writing a short bio, it can be tempting to pack in as much relevant information about yourself as possible — but this isn’t the most effective approach.

Instead, focus on including the details that you and your audience care about most and leave out the fluff.

Let's dive into a few examples of short professional bios.

Short Professional Bio Examples

  • Tristen Taylor: Marketing Manager
  • Lianna Patch: Copywriter
  • Precious Oboidhe: Content Strategist and Writer
  • Rebecca Bollwitt: Writer
  • Megan Gilmore: Cookbook Author
  • Bea Dixon: Feminine Care Founder
  • Tammy Hembrow: Instagram Influencer
  • Dr. Cody: Chiropractor
  • Larry Kim: Founder
  • Dharmesh Shah: Founder and CTO
  • Lily Ugbaja: Content Strategist
  • Ian Anderson Gray: Marketer
  • Van Jones: Political Commentator, Author, and Lawyer

1. Tristen Taylor: Marketing Manager

Bio platform: blog byline.

Tristen Taylor is a Marketing Manager here at HubSpot. She's written content for HubSpot's Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service blogs; her blog author bio is one of my favorites.

What I love most about Tristen's bio is that it’s a great example of how to deliver information about yourself that is relevant to your work while also sharing fun details that audiences will find relatable.

Her bio reads:

"Building from her experience with GoCo.io and Southwest Airlines, Tristen's work has been recognized by Marketing Brew and BLACK@INBOUND. She lives in Washington, DC, attending anime conventions and painting in her free time."

biography is short for

biography is short for

Gilmore further includes a CTA link within her Instagram bio that leads followers to free, ready-to-use recipes. You might think, " Why would she do that since it discourages people from buying her book?"

But that couldn't be further from the truth.

By giving her followers the chance to try out her recipes, she's slowly turning leads into customers. After I tried a few of her Instagram recipes and loved them, I bought her book, knowing I'd like more of what she offered.

  • The bio is short and direct.
  • The CTA link includes an invitation for people to join her newsletter. Meaning, she can build her email list.

6. Bea Dixon : Feminine Care Founder

Bea Dixon, Founder and CEO of The Honey Pot Company, efficiently uses the space on her Instagram profile to highlight who she is as a well-rounded human — not just a businesswoman.

For instance, while she highlights her girl boss attitude with a tiara emoji, she equally calls attention to her fashion interests (Free People), her pets, Boss and Sadie, and her love for ramen noodles.

biography is short for

What more do you need to know?

Ian doesn't take his bio too seriously but uses every character to highlight everything about him.

He includes his skills as a marketer and podcast host, who he is outside work as a dad, and what he can help you do. His smiles also give the bio a sense of humor and realness.

biography is short for

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  • How to Write a Short Bio?...

How to Write a Short Bio? (With Examples)

7 min read · Updated on August 28, 2024

Marsha Hebert

A short professional biography is a great tool to have in your career marketing toolkit.

As you progress through your career, there will likely come a time when someone wants you to provide them with a professional biography. It could be that your boss wants to include something on the team page of the company website or perhaps you need to write a blurb about your biggest achievements for a social media page. 

Regardless of the reason, you should always have one ready to go. Many people have quite a few questions about writing short professional bios, though, including

What is a bio?

How to write a short bio?

What voice to use in a short bio – first person or third person?

What is the format of a short biography?

What is a good bio example?

Let's just say that you're in the right place to find out.

What is a short bio?

Have you ever heard the phrase “elevator pitch?” Well, that's what a bio is. It's about 200 words that define who you are, what you do, what you've accomplished, and what your goals are. If that seems like a lot to put into a couple hundred words, you're right. 

This isn't the time to go on and on about everything you've ever done. Since the purpose of a short professional bio is to introduce you to whoever is reading it, it's best to worry about only hitting the high notes. 

Think about what you say when someone asks you the following:

What do you do?

How long have you done it?

What do you like most about it?

Have you ever won an award ?

Why do you want to keep doing what you do?

Your answers to those questions will help you craft your biography, though you'll probably have to pare down the wording to keep it within the requisite word count. Always remember KISS – Keep it Short and Simple. 

How to write a short professional bio?

Just like with your resume, a short professional bio should contain key details. Those details should also appear in a predictable order. 

Your name and current job title

Your professional philosophy

Some of your best skills

Career achievements

What you have your sights set on for the future

You could also include things like links to online portfolios or your contact information, depending on where the bio is going to be used. For example, if you're adding the short professional bio to a web page that already has your contact info, then you don't need to add it to the bio itself. 

First-person vs third-person for your short professional bio

Before you start writing, you have to decide which voice you're going to use for your biography. Meaning, are you going to write it using first-person or third-person?

First-person writing involves using pronouns like “I,” “me,” and “my”

Third-person writing is when you avoid using personal pronouns and stick to possessive pronouns or possessive adjectives like "he," "she," "his," and "her"

It all depends on your audience. You'd choose to write your short professional bio in the first person if you're using it for personal websites, social media profiles , and networking events. It's better to use the third person when you're writing for company websites, professional directories, or other formal settings. 

Short professional bio examples: Your name and current job title

This may seem like a given, but because it's such a simple thing, a lot of people try to overdo it. You literally only need to write something like this

Third-person: Janet Plunder is the Head of Marketing for We Are Creatives, Inc. 

First-person:   My name is Jeff Safeport, and I am the Network Manager for BitBytes.

Short professional bio examples: Your professional philosophy

Have you ever thought about the values and ethics you possess and how those shape your work and interaction with others? That is the basis of your professional philosophy. Prospective employers and future clients want to know how you distinguish yourself from others. The way you come up with your professional philosophy is through a little self-assessment. Ask yourself

What do I believe in?

What am I committed to?

What values are most important in my professional life?

How do I approach challenges?

Have I made any type of impact in my field?

This is what the philosophy statement could look like in your short bio:

  • Third-person: She is known for leading with integrity, fostering collaborative environments, and continuously seeking innovative solutions that drive success. 
  • First-person:   I am committed to prioritizing client satisfaction. Also, by embracing the idea of lifelong learning, I consistently strive for excellence in everything all projects I undertake.

Short professional bio examples: Your skills and qualifications

Going back to the concept of KISS, you want to avoid trying to include a laundry list of every skill you possess. The idea here is to focus on the abilities that set you apart in your field. You need to be specific not only about what you excel at but also how the particular skills you choose for your short professional bio have helped you be successful. 

For example:

  • Third-person: Jane is known for creating digital marketing strategies, with a particular focus on SEO and content marketing. She has a proven track record of increasing online visibility, brand awareness, and consumer engagement for countless globally branded companies. 
  • First-person :  One of my strong suits is the ability to streamline processes in a way that improves productivity across international teams. I do this through full lifecycle project management and deep-dive data analysis.

Short professional bio examples: Your career achievements

Back when you were writing your resume, you probably heard over and over again how important career achievements are. There are millions of articles out there that tell you how to quantify the things you've accomplished in past jobs because that's how prospective employers know you'll be a benefit to their team. 

The same holds true for your short professional bio. Your readers will be able to tell how you can help them by getting a glimpse into your career wins. Focus on notable awards and major projects that point to you achieving milestones.

Here's what that could look like:

  • Third-person: Recently, she led a rebranding project that increased revenue by more than 20%, earning her the Innovator of the Year award. 
  • First-person :  In my last position, I ascended to the prestigious President's Club after overhauling project processes and saving the company $10M. 

Short professional bio examples: Your professional goals

The one thing that distinguishes a short professional bio from your other career marketing documents is that it not only showcases your history but it's also future-facing. This gives you a great opportunity to talk about your aspirations and which direction you are heading in your career. 

You can show prospective employers and future clients that you're going to be around a while by talking about things like being “forward-thinking” and emphasizing your “commitment to growth,” as examples. 

Here are a couple of short professional bio examples you can use as inspiration for your own professional goals :

  • Third-person: Jane is looking forward to developing leadership skills to transition into an executive management role so that she can foster innovation at the corporate level.   
  • First-person :  Since the beginning of my career, I've focused on expanding my expertise in cybersecurity and am poised to move into a Chief Information Officer position. 

Leave a lasting impression

No matter what type of document you're writing for your career, the object is always to leave a lasting impression. That holds true even for a short professional bio. It may only be a couple hundred words, but they're very important words. Keep it concise, relevant, and engaging, and the right doors will open to propel you along your career journey.

The best way to get the right details into your short professional bio is to use information from your resume. Does your resume say what you need it to say about your skills, qualifications, and achievements? Upload it for a free review and find out. 

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How to write a professional bio (with examples and templates)

  • Rebecca Strehlow
  • 13 min read

Get started by: Creating a website →  | Getting a domain →

How to write a bio

Which three words would you use to describe yourself? Most of us have been asked this question and many of us have fumbled through it awkwardly.

Coming up with a personal description can be daunting. But there are times when it’s essential - whether we’re updating our LinkedIn profiles, blogging for Medium or creating a business website of our own.

In this post, we’ll go over how to write a bio, step by step. To help guide you, we’ve also included a handy template, along with some professional bio examples for your inspiration. With these resources, you’ll find that writing a bio, as part of making a website , is much easier than you might think.

What is a short bio?

Before you learn how to write a bio, you should have a clear understanding of what it is and why you need it.

In the world of literature, a personal biography can span the length of an entire novel, like Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom or Malala Yousafzai’s I Am Malala . In the online world, however, a bio is a short paragraph in which you introduce yourself. Typically, some of the best business websites place bios on a designated About Us page in their website, as well as on their social media pages and other networking platforms.

What to include in a short bio

Depending on your audience and goals, your bio can highlight your personal interests, your professional achievements or a mix of both. Here are some of the elements a bio might include:

Job title or workplace

University degree and other qualifications

Hometown or city of residence

Personal or professional goals

Mission statement and values

Skills and expertise

Interests and hobbies

The goal of writing a bio is to provide people with a snapshot of who you are. This is important for a variety of reasons, whether it’s drawing people toward your personal website or promoting your blog, attracting clients and business partners to your brand, or highlighting your achievements for job interviews.

How to write a short bio

The most effective online bios are both professional and concise. Here’s how to write a short professional bio that suits your website or brand:

Introduce yourself

State your company or brand name

Explain your professional role

Include professional achievements

Discuss your passions and values

Mention your personal interests

01. Introduce yourself

Begin your bio by stating your first and last name. If you’re writing in the third person, these should be the first two words of the paragraph. This makes your name easy for your audience to identify and remember. Your bio is a huge part of your personal branding efforts, and should start with a strong intro to make a positive impact.

02. State your company or brand name

Think about whether you want your bio to represent yourself on a personal level, or whether you’d like it to come across as more professional. If you have a personal brand or business - for example, a blog, freelance business or eCommerce site - be sure to mention your brand name at the beginning of your bio. Don’t be afraid if the name sounds simple or redundant. It’s perfectly fine, for instance, to say Mary Smith is the founder and CEO of Smith Digital.

Likewise, feel free to mention the name of another company or brand that you work for if you’d like to associate it with your professional accomplishments - e.g., Mary Smith is a consultant at Google and the founder and CEO of Smith Digital.

03. Explain your professional role

Next, briefly explain your current position. This is relevant whether you’re the founder of a company, a high-level specialist or a beginner in your field, and it can be similar to the description you have on your resume. Your website visitors won’t necessarily know what your job involves, so elaborating on your primary responsibilities helps paint a picture of who you are and what you have to offer. This can also be used, if needed for employment and recruitment opportunities. If you're a freelancer a strong bio can make all the difference in how successful sourcing work can be.

Green image with peach squares that say "be concise" plus lavender circles that say "Know your audience" and "Bio".

04. Include professional achievements

In addition to explaining what your job entails, highlight milestones that make you stand out. Even if you haven’t won an award or gained external recognition, you can discuss ways in which you’ve contributed to your professional role and touch on new ideas or approaches that you bring to the table.

05. Discuss your passions and values

Once you describe what you do and how you contribute to your role, you’ll need to explain the why . This is one of the most important elements to focus on as you consider how to write a bio.

Think about the values and passions underlying your work, as well as your professional philosophy. What gets you up in the morning? What’s the driving force behind what you do?

You can also think of this part of your professional bio as a kind of mission statement. Perhaps your mission is to serve others, contribute to society, grow your expertise or learn new skills. Whatever your reasons, expanding upon these ideas can help your audience get a better understanding of what truly matters to you. Don't be afraid to deploy storytelling in this part of creating your bio. Explore your narrative and then convey it.

06. Mention your personal interests

The most effective short bios will not only focus on your professional experience, but will also touch on what you like to do in your spare time. Consider mentioning:

Your family

Your hometown

Your hobbies

Side projects you’re working on

Transitioning to a more casual discussion of who you are outside of work is a great way to conclude your bio. This will present you as a more well-rounded person while making you relatable for your audience.

Professional bio template

As you go through the steps on how to write a bio, this handy template will help you get started:

Sentence 1: [Name] is a [job title] who [job description].

E.g., Lisa Green is an English teacher who teaches beginning to advanced literature courses for 10th and 11th grade students at Bloomfield High School.

Sentence 2: [Name] believes that [why you do the work you do].

E.g., Lisa believes that written and analytical skills are not only a fundamental part of academic excellence, but are also the building blocks of critical thinking in high school and beyond.

Sentence 3: [Name/pronoun] has [mention your achievements].

E.g., In addition to managing the English curriculum for the school, she runs an after school program where she works one-on-one with students.

Sentence 4: [Name/pronoun] is a [mention any relevant awards, training or honors].

E.g., She has also been nominated Teacher of the Year for two consecutive years.

Sentence 5: [Name/pronoun] holds a [insert degree] in [field of study] from [university].

E.g., Lisa holds a BA in Creative Writing and a Master’s Degree in Teaching from the University of Michigan.

Once you’ve filled in this template, put it all together into a single paragraph to create an initial framework for your professional biography. Note that you can shorten or expand upon this bio according to your unique needs.

A professional bio template graphic that says [name] is a [job title] who [job description]. [Name] has [Academic Qualifications] from [University]...

Professional bio examples

Now that you know the basics of writing a professional bio, here are some short bio examples to inspire you. You can use these examples as additional templates for guidance as you craft your own personal biography.

Like the creators of these examples, you can place your bio on your personal or professional website and, later, revise the structure for other online platforms.

01. Bristol Guitar Making School

Professional bio examples: Bristol Guitar Making School

Of all the professional bio examples, Alex Bishop’s content exudes passion. Strategically placing the bio on the About page of his small business website , he highlights his skills and explains why he finds his work meaningful. In particular, we love his description of why he chose to pursue guitar making:

“​My passion as a guitar maker comes from a life-long obsession with making things. From a young age I have always tried to manipulate objects and materials in order to create something entirely different. I find that working with wood is a way for me to connect with nature. The simple act of shaping wood to make something functional or beautiful brings me endless satisfaction.”

He also lists his accomplishments and awards, adding credibility to his business and building trust among prospective clients.

02. Alexandra Zsigmond

Professional bio examples: Alexandra Zsigmond

As someone who has served as art director for both The New York Times' opinion section and The New Yorker , it's no surprise that Alexandra Zsigmond's bio is thorough and detailed. Providing statistics or reflections on the things she achieved in her career is a clever way to demonstrate her value without saying so directly. As she explains:

"She has collaborated with a roster of over 1000 artists worldwide and art directed over 4000 editorial illustrations. She is known for greatly expanding the range of visual contributors to the Times, drawing equally from the worlds of contemporary illustration, fine art, animation, and comics."

03. Amanda Shields Interiors

Professional bio examples: Amanda Shields Interiors

Amanda Shields provides us with another effective bio example on her interior design website. Importantly, she spices up her bio by explaining how home decor aligns with her personal life and why it’s so close to her heart as a mother and entrepreneur:

"After working as a product designer for numerous retailers over the years, and after I had my first child, I decided to take the plunge and start my own home staging business…. Coincidentally, a month later I discovered I was pregnant with my second child. I loved the new challenges I faced as a new entrepreneur and mom and it didn't take long for me to discover that this was my calling…. I felt the need to expand my business and launch Amanda Shields Interiors as its own entity to focus specifically on residential interiors and design."

By placing this content on her website’s About page, she provides potential clients with insights into her expertise and professional experience. She expands upon the choices she made along her career path, strategically making note of her achievements and acquired skills along the way.

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Tips for writing a bio

As you write your bio using the professional template above, make sure to keep the following tips in mind:

Keep it concise: Your bio should be sufficiently explanatory but it should also be short and to the point. A good rule of thumb is to keep each element of your bio - from your job description to your mission statement and hobbies - to about 1-2 sentences. That way, you’ll end up with a brief paragraph that holds your readers’ attention without rambling on.

Consider your audience: The voice and tone you choose for your biography largely depends on your audience and personal goals. If you’re looking for a job and are writing primarily for recruiters, you’ll want to use a serious, professional tone. On the other hand, if you’re creating an Instagram bio , consider using more casual, conversational language that reflects your personality.

Add humor: Relatedly, consider adding humor when appropriate. This is especially valuable if you’ve founded your own business or created your own website , as it can give you a distinct brand identity while helping your audience build a stronger sense of connection with your brand.

Link to your website: When writing a bio for a platform other than your own website - a social media page, another company page, or a guest blog or publication - remember to include a link to your website. This will help you promote your website while highlighting your professionalism and authority.

Adapt for different platforms: You’ll most likely need to adapt the length and writing style of your biography to suit different platforms. For example, you may place a longer bio on your website’s About page and a shorter one on your LinkedIn page. In these cases, use the same main principles for writing a bio while scaling down the most important elements.

How to write a bio in four sentences or less

Really need to create a super short bio? We'd suggest following some of the tips above, just condensing them into less word for a short bio that still makes impact.

But if we really had to choose we'd say focus on - you, your professional role and company. That condenses everything that matters for bio into three sentences. Humor, creativity and uniqueness still all matter - just use fewer words to convey them.

Creating a bio for your website

As we’ve noted in the examples above, one of the most strategic places to put your bio is on your website - so be sure to consider it within your web design plans. Whether the goal of your site is to start and promote your business , showcase your design portfolio or display your resume, including a bio gives your audience a glimpse into the person behind your content. It can also kickstart your professional growth . Show the world what you do, how you do it and why it matters, and people will be drawn to your passion and inspired by your experience.

Bio for a website example:

Hi, I'm Alex Johnson, a passionate web developer with over 10 years of experience in creating dynamic and user-friendly websites. I specialize in front-end development, bringing innovative designs to life with clean and efficient code. When I'm not coding, you can find me exploring hiking trails, experimenting with new recipes, or buried in a good book. Let's build something amazing together.

Pro tip: You can add a bio to many different types of websites, so using templates can help you create yours faster. For example, if you're creating a portfolio website , explore portfolio website templates to help you get started.

Creating a bio for social media

Crafting a professional bio for social media is vital as it introduces you or your brand, and it builds credibility and trust. A well-written bio establishes your expertise, attracts the right audience, and fosters engagement. It helps maintain a consistent brand image, optimizes search and discovery, and opens doors to networking and career opportunities. A compelling bio delivers a concise, informative snapshot of who you are, what you do, and the value you bring, leaving a lasting impression on visitors and potential collaborators alike.

Bio for social media example:

🌟 Tech Enthusiast | 📚 Avid Reader | 🎨 Amateur Artist | 🌍 Explorer

Passionate about AI and its impact on our future. Sharing insights on tech trends, book recommendations, and my travel adventures. Lover of all things creative. Let's connect and inspire each other

You may need to edit your bio depending on which social media platform you plan to use it on. Some of the most popular ones include Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Focus on getting your bio right on the platforms you plan to focus your personal or brand social media marketing efforts on.

Writing a bio with AI

If you're looking to write your bio fast while creating your website, consider using an AI text generator to build your draft. You'll still need to make sure it goes through. an intensive editing process, so that it really captures the essence of who you are and your professional skills. A bio is about much more than just basic information, so don't forget to include the storytelling too. Build a website with Wix and you can make use of the in-built AI text generator within its Editor .

Why good bios are important for a professional

In a world where first impressions matter, a well-crafted bio can make a significant impact in establishing trust and credibility with potential clients, employers or collaborators. It also offers insight into your personality and values, helping to forge authentic connections with your audience. It acts as a powerful tool for personal branding, allowing you to differentiate yourself in a competitive landscape and leave a memorable impression.

A strong bio also serves as a gateway to opportunities, whether it's securing new clients, landing job interviews or establishing partnerships. It acts as a professional introduction, allowing you to showcase your expertise. A polished and impactful bio is essential for you to effectively communicate your professional identity and stand out in your field.

Writing a bio without experience

Writing a bio when you don't yet have experience can be challenging, but it's an opportunity to showcase your potential and aspirations.

Begin by highlighting your educational background, skills and any relevant coursework or projects you've completed. Focus on your passions, interests and personal qualities that make you unique. Consider including volunteer work, internships or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your commitment and initiative. Emphasize your eagerness to learn and grow in your chosen field and express your future goals and aspirations. Don't be afraid to be honest about your current stage and your willingness to gain experience and develop professionally.

If you don't know what to write in your bio, start by brainstorming your key experiences, achievements, skills and personal attributes. Consider what sets you apart and what you want others to know about you. Look for inspiration from other bios or profiles in your field, and consider seeking feedback from friends, mentors or colleagues. Don't hesitate to highlight your passions, interests and goals, as well as any unique experiences or perspectives you bring to the table. Remember to keep it concise and engaging, and don't be afraid to revise and refine your bio until it accurately represents you.

How to write a bio FAQ

A short bio, short for biography, is a concise summary of a your life or professional background. It provides a brief overview of your key achievements, qualifications, experiences, and relevant details. Typically written in the third person, a short bio is often used in various contexts, such as professional profiles, social media accounts, introductions for speaking engagements, author descriptions, and other situations where a brief introduction is required. The length of a short bio can vary, but it's generally kept to a few sentences or a short paragraph to provide a snapshot of the person's background and expertise.

How do I write a bio about myself?

What should i include in a short bio, how do you write a fun bio for work, how do i make my bio stand out, related posts.

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How to write a bio about yourself for work: 6 short professional bio templates

Short professional bios can be just as effective as long ones that detail your accomplishments. Whether you need to work within Twitter’s character count or you’re making career moves on LinkedIn, a well-written short professional bio gives you the chance to make an excellent first impression. Here’s how to turn this brief text into a powerful introduction to your greatest strengths and accomplishments.

What is a short professional bio?

A short professional biography is a brief summary of your career accomplishments. It provides an overview of your most relevant professional experiences, qualifications, and achievements.

Short professional bios are usually written in the third person and are limited to a few sentences or concise paragraphs. The shorter length works well as a quick introduction for resumes, professional profiles, employer websites, social media accounts, author descriptions, and speaking engagements.

Short professional bio templates for copy and paste

Wondering how to write a professional biography? Start by looking at some helpful bio samples. We’ve put together a collection of templates for some of the most popular careers to help you get started and demonstrate common bio formats.

It’s easy to copy and paste any of these bio templates into a CV, cover letter, or social media profile and customize it with your personal experiences and achievements. This bio will be an effective way to introduce yourself to potential employers, clients, and contacts.

Below, you’ll find short bio examples for Instagram users, real estate agents, artists, and teachers. But first up, here’s a general short bio template for those who don’t fall into one of those categories:

“ [Your name] is a [professional title] at [current employer] with [length of experience] helping [target audience] with [audience’s problems] . Specializing in [area of expertise] , [first name] uses that experience to [describe most important aspects of the job] . 

By focusing on [branding statement about what matters professionally] , [first name] has been able to put the [degree(s)] they earned at [college or university attended] to good use. Over the years, [first name’s or pronoun] strengths at [employer or project] have garnered some recognition for/by [major accomplishments] . [First name] may spend their days at [employer or employer location] , but it’s the [one or two aspects of the job that they’re passionate about] that gets them up in the morning.

When they’re not at [employer] , [first name] is an avid [hobby] and loves spending time [another hobby or interest] .”

Instagram bio template

Instagram bios have a 150-character maximum, so be sure to keep your description as concise as possible. Sum up your personal brand in a few key phrases to make sure it fits within the limits of a social media bio profile:

“ [Professional title] with [length of experience] . Specializing in [key skills ] to help [target audience] with [audience’s problems] . [Optional: Mention professional awards/recognition] .”

Real estate agent bio template

Real estate clients tend to choose agents they relate to and trust. That’s why this professional bio example features a balance of career accomplishments and personal details:

“ [Your name] is a [professional title] at [current employer] with [length of experience] . [First name] is known for their extensive knowledge of the [location] market, and is passionate about helping their clients find the perfect home.

While attending [college or university] , [first name] earned a degree in [field of study] . Over the years, they have earned recognition from [major accomplishments/awards] .

[First name] lives in [city] with their [family or pets] . Outside of real estate, they are an avid [hobby] and love spending time [another hobby or interest] .”

Artist bio template

As an artist, your bio description should do more than just detail your experience. It should also express the point of view and motivations behind your work:

“ [Your name] is a [type of artist] known for [type of artwork, such as performances or photography] . They use [materials or inspiration] to create works which [purpose, motivation, or intended effects] . 

[First name] graduated from [college or university] with a degree in [field of study] . Their work has been featured in [shows or galleries] and recognized through [awards and accomplishments] .”

Teacher bio template

When creating a bio as a teacher, try to clearly communicate the essential elements of your teaching philosophy. The following bio example for work in education combines professional qualifications with a few personal details:

“ [Your name] has been teaching [grade/subject] for [length of experience] . They are thrilled to be a member of the staff at [current employer] and are passionate about inspiring students through [teaching philosophy] .

[First name] has a degree in [field of study] from [college or university] and has completed [professional development courses] . Their professional honors include [awards or recognition] .

When not in the classroom, you can find [first name] enjoying [hobbies] or spending quality time with [family or pets] .”

What to include in a short bio

Now that you know how effective a short bio can be, you’re getting closer to putting the proverbial pen to paper and letting the world know more about you. Before you get started on your bio ideas, it’s important that you consider each element you want to mention in it. A correct representation of your professional work experience may become an ace up your sleeve, especially if it's narrow and global at the same time, such as bringing technical innovations to the market, proving new hypotheses in science, or digitization of processes in the healthcare industry . A good professional bio should include the following bits of information, regardless of your writing style or your goals:

  • Start with who you are and what you do. The basics of a bio include your name and a brief summary of your professional endeavors and goals.
  • Describe what you’re currently doing. Include quantifiable information that can show how effective you are in your most recent position.
  • Share a couple of professional triumphs. If you’ve enjoyed a level of professional excellence that resulted in special recognition, share those results. This is your moment to showcase two or three key moments in your career, such as awards, special recognition, or significant accomplishments. Approach this like you would a cover letter for a job application.
  • Create a branding statement . Consider your values as a professional and take some space to outline them. Think of this as an easy way to help people quickly determine what matters to you.
  • Include some personal details that showcase your personality. At the end of the day, your career doesn’t completely define you. Feel free to include interests and hobbies in your bio to make you more relatable.
  • Mention how to reach you. Add social media links or an email address to your bio. This one is more optional and context-dependent, but a smart idea nonetheless. 

How to write a professional short bio: 5 steps

You’ve seen how to write a bio for different careers based on our templates. In addition, you’ve reviewed the list of key details to include in your short professional bio. With all that in mind, here are the five steps for how to write a professional bio:

1. Identify the bio’s purpose and gather information. Good news — if you followed along in the previous section, then you’ve already arrived at this step. Knowing why you’re writing the bio, who you expect to read it, and how you want to present yourself to that reader is important to the bio writing process.

2. Choose either a first- or third-person perspective. Do you want to use first-person “I” and “me” language, or do you want to talk about yourself in the third person? Third person sounds as though someone else wrote your bio for you, giving it an air of objectivity. However, if you’re posting this on your own portfolio page and the rest of your content is written in first person, then you may want to stick with that style for consistency.

3. Write for the platform. Depending on where you’re posting this bio, you may have a short character limit or as much digital real estate as you want. A Twitter bio will naturally be much shorter than your website. Consider writing bios of different lengths to fit each situation.

4. Begin writing. Your bio should contain everything you collected earlier. It should start with a broad overview of who you are and what you do before ultimately diving into your background and what makes you unique. Have fun with it, but remain professional. Be thorough, but don’t overstay your welcome.

5. Proofread, proofread, proofread. Before posting your professional bio online, walk away from the finished product and then return to it with fresh eyes. Reread it and make edits. When you’re good with your edits, share your bio with a friend you trust to look it over. Once this process is complete, your short professional bio is ready for prime time.

6 catchy professional bio examples by real people

While the professional work bio examples provided above can serve as a good starting point for your own biography, it may help to check out some real bios from successful individuals in their fields. Reading through these biography examples can give you a better idea of how our templates can be customized for any career path. It’s especially helpful to see the way in which these personal bio examples create a strong impression in just a few sentences or paragraphs.

The bio : Tim Cook is the CEO of Apple and serves on its board of directors.

Before being named CEO in August 2011, Tim was Apple’s chief operating officer and was responsible for all of the company’s worldwide sales and operations, including end-to-end management of Apple’s supply chain, sales activities, and service and support in all markets and countries. He also headed Apple’s Macintosh division and played a key role in the continued development of strategic reseller and supplier relationships, ensuring flexibility in response to an increasingly demanding marketplace.

Prior to joining Apple, Tim was vice president of Corporate Materials for Compaq and was responsible for procuring and managing all of Compaq’s product inventory.

Previous to his work at Compaq, Tim was the chief operating officer of the Reseller Division at Intelligent Electronics.

Tim also spent 12 years with IBM, most recently as director of North American Fulfillment where he led manufacturing and distribution functions for IBM’s Personal Computer Company in North and Latin America.

Tim earned an MBA from Duke University, where he was a Fuqua Scholar, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Auburn University.

Why it’s good: Featured on a corporate about page and focused on one of the most important people in tech, Tim Cook’s professional bio speaks directly to his impressive professional history. This bio is a great example for someone with significant experience in their field.

Richard Branson

The bio : Founder of the Virgin Group, which has gone on to grow successful businesses in sectors including mobile telephony, travel and transportation, financial services, leisure and entertainment and health and wellness. Virgin is a leading international investment group and one of the world's most recognised and respected brands. Since starting youth culture magazine “Student” at aged 16, I have tried to find entrepreneurial ways to drive positive change in the world. In 2004 we established Virgin Unite, the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group, which unites people and entrepreneurial ideas to create opportunities for a better world. Most of my time is now spent building businesses that will make a positive difference in the world and working with Virgin Unite and organisations it has incubated, such as The Elders, The Carbon War Room, The B Team and Ocean Unite. I also serve on the Global Commission on Drug Policy and supports ocean conservation with the Ocean Elders. I'm a tie-loathing adventurer, philanthropist and troublemaker, who believes in turning ideas into reality. Otherwise known as Dr Yes!

Why it’s good: Richard Branson’s LinkedIn professional bio just exudes his personality. Seen as an eccentric billionaire with a penchant for space travel, the Virgin Group founder meshes his professional accomplishments with the many value-driven, philanthropic passion projects he’s undertaken over the years.

Ann Handley

The bio : Ann Handley is a writer, digital marketing pioneer, and Wall Street Journal best-selling author who inspires and empowers you to create marketing that your customers will love, igniting real results for your business.

Ann Handley writes and speaks about how businesses can escape marketing mediocrity to achieve tangible results.

And she will inspire you to do work you’re proud of.

Why it’s good: Marketing guru Ann Handley's profile is short, sweet, and to the point. Perfect for most venues, such as the personal website this is posted on, Handley's bio explains what her strengths are and how she can best help you and your business.

Joaquin Duato

The bio : Joaquin Duato is the Chief Executive Officer of Johnson & Johnson and serves on its Board of Directors. As CEO of the world’s largest healthcare company, Joaquin leads a global workforce of 135,000 employees in developing and delivering transformational and innovative healthcare solutions in Pharmaceuticals, MedTech, and Consumer Health.

From his early days in Spain, Joaquin found inspiration by focusing on how healthcare improved patients’ lives. Over the course of three decades with the company, he developed a deep understanding of what’s possible at Johnson & Johnson by working in all business sectors and across multiple geographies and functions. Before being named CEO, Joaquin served as the Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee, where he provided strategic direction for the Pharmaceutical and Consumer Health sectors and oversaw both Information Technology and the Global Supply Chain.

Joaquin’s many accomplishments include driving the transformation of the company’s pharmaceutical business into a global powerhouse by refocusing strategy and investment around core therapeutic areas and areas of greatest unmet need during his tenure as the sector’s Worldwide Chairman. More recently, he oversaw the company’s rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic and drove coordination of global initiatives to safeguard the health of employees and ensure business and supply chain continuity, so the company’s life-saving medicines and products reached patients and communities in need.

A believer in the power of technology to accelerate progress in healthcare, Joaquin is leading Johnson & Johnson to harness data science and intelligent automation for insight generation so that teams work as a united front, with expertise and purpose, to solve the world’s toughest health challenges.

A dual citizen of Spain and the United States, Joaquin’s international perspective gives him a deep appreciation of diversity in all its forms. He is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the patients J&J serves, evidenced by nearly a decade acting as Executive Sponsor for the African Ancestry Leadership Council ERG.

Joaquin earned an MBA from ESADE in Barcelona, Spain, and a Master of International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix, Arizona. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and two college-aged children.

Why it’s good: Joaquin Duato, an executive at pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson, shares an extensive profile. Not only does this corporate professional bio outline his impressive career, but the long-form entry backs up his status as someone at the top of his game by listing past accomplishments.

Anne T. Madden

The bio : Anne T. Madden is Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Honeywell.

She is responsible for managing legal affairs, Government Relations, health, safety, environment, product stewardship and environmental sustainability. Anne is also responsible for Honeywell’s global M&A efforts.

Prior to taking this role in 2017, Anne was Vice President, Corporate Development and Global Head of M&A, leading acquisition and divestiture activities for 16 years. During her tenure, Honeywell made around 100 acquisitions, representing approximately $15 billion in revenues and divested about 70 businesses, representing close to $9 billion of non-core revenues.

Anne joined Honeywell’s predecessor AlliedSignal in 1996 as General Counsel of Fluorine Products. Later that year she became Vice President and General Counsel of Specialty Chemicals and then Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Performance Materials and Technologies (PMT).

Prior to that, Anne worked at Shearman & Sterling and KPMG Peat Marwick.

Anne earned an A.B. in English and American literature from Brown University, an M.S. in accounting and MBA in finance from the NYU Stern School of Business, and a J.D. from the Fordham University School of Law, where she was Managing Editor of the Law Review.

Why it’s good: Anne Madden's corporate bio is shorter than Joaquin Duato's, but it still manages to detail her career's trajectory in a comprehensive way. Additionally, it offers quantifiable data to show how proficient she is in her field.

Ethan Klei n

The bio : Host of @TheH3Podcast

(Podcast Booking Inquiries: [email protected]) (Business Inquiries: [email protected])

Why it’s good: Not all professional bios need to be lengthy descriptions of a person's career, passions, and hobbies. Ethan Klein's Twitter bio not only highlights his current role as the host of the H3H3 Podcast, but also provides potential connections and partners with ways to get in touch. It gets straight to the point in a way that’s atypical for most professional bios, but it certainly meets the definition for short without missing any key information.

Get started on your bio

Anyone can write their own professional bio. Whether you’re looking to book additional side gigs, trying to promote past work, or currently seeking full-time employment, crafting the right professional bio for your needs can give you a leg up in achieving your goals. Through the use of tools like Namecheap Site Maker , you can put together a personal or professional site that highlights your work and showcases who you are as a person by broadcasting your bio to the internet. Likewise, if you’re looking for tips on crafting a professional bio for networking purposes, you may want to check out Namecheap’s Business Card Maker , which can help you make a great first impression with a well-designed calling card.

Ready to get your name out there and build your professional brand? It’s time to write your professional bio and use Namecheap as your source for a website and professional identity.

1. What is bio short for?

“Bio” is short for “biography,” referring to a history of someone’s life. A professional bio focuses primarily on career history, though it sometimes includes a few personal details as well.

2. What should a short bio include?

A good bio for work should include details about your professional credentials and career experience, such as relevant education and qualifications, positions at past or current employers, and awards or recognition in your field.

Other things to put in your bio, if space allows, include key skills and proficiencies and a few personal details about your location, family, and hobbies.

3. How long should a short bio be?

Short bios shouldn’t exceed around 150 to 200 words. This is typically the equivalent of 2 or 3 short paragraphs. 

In cases where you’re limited on space, such as social media profiles and article bylines, you may need to create an even shorter summary of your professional experience that is only 2 to 3 sentences long.

4. Why do I need a professional bio?

Professional bios can help advance your career. Unlike a detailed resume, a short bio allows you to showcase your experience and qualifications in a succinct and easy-to-digest way. Your bio can serve as a great icebreaker for networking events and help you attract attention on platforms like LinkedIn. You can also write a bio about yourself for work to share important awards, honors, and career milestones.

If written properly, your professional bio will make you more attractive to potential employers and clients by highlighting exactly what makes you a unique and worthwhile addition to any team or project.

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How to Write a Short Bio: Tips and Examples for Crafting Your Story

How to Write a Short Bio: Tips and Examples for Crafting Your Story

Introduction

A biography, or bio for short, is a written account of someone’s life. A professional bio briefly summarizes a person’s achievements, skills, and background used for professional purposes. In today’s digital age, having a professional bio is essential, as it is often people’s first impression of you online. This article will provide tips and examples on writing a short bio that effectively showcases your strengths and accomplishments.

Why Write a Short Bio

Short bios are compelling because they provide a quick snapshot of your professional background and achievements. They are ideal for platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter. A well-crafted short bio can quickly capture the attention of potential employers, clients, or collaborators and help you stand out in a crowded digital landscape.

Tips on How to Write a Short Bio

  • Identify your audience: Determine who your bio is intended for and tailor it accordingly. Consider what kind of information they would find most relevant and exciting.
  • Keep it concise: Stick to the essentials and focus on the most critical aspects of your professional background. Avoid irrelevant details or long-winded explanations.
  • Highlight your accomplishments: Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and expertise.
  • Use a professional tone: Your bio should be written formally, reflecting your professionalism.
  • Use keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords that reflect your area of expertise to help your bio appear in search results.

Short Bio for Different Use Cases

A short bio can be used in many different contexts, including:

  • Professional networking: on LinkedIn or other professional networking sites
  • Conferences and events: in programs, speaker introductions, or on websites
  • Author bios: on book covers or author websites
  • Freelance work: on websites or social media accounts

Tailoring your bio to the specific platform and context in which it will be used is essential. For example, a bio for a professional networking site like LinkedIn may focus more on your work experience and qualifications. In contrast, a bio for a social media platform like Instagram may highlight your interests and hobbies.

Examples of Short Bios

  • John Smith is a marketing executive with over 10 years of experience in the tech industry. He specializes in digital marketing and has a proven track record of driving growth and revenue for his clients.
  • Jane Doe is a freelance writer with a passion for travel and culture. Her work has been published in major publications such as National Geographic and Lonely Planet.
  • David Lee is an entrepreneur and startup advisor with a background in finance and tech. He has successfully launched and sold several companies and is working on his latest venture, a fintech startup.

In conclusion, a short bio is essential for establishing your professional presence online. Following the tips and examples outlined in this article, you can create a concise and compelling biography showcasing your strengths and accomplishments. Remember to tailor your bio to the specific platform and context in which it will be used, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and formats.

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How to Write a Short Professional Bio (With Examples and Templates)

Emily Polner

3 key takeaways

  • What a short professional bio is and why you need one
  • What to include in a short bio to make it stand out and relevant to your audience
  • Short professional bio examples, templates, and a faster way to write your biography with Teal's Professional Bio Generator

In a world where just about everyone is represented online, your short professional bio often serves as a first introduction.

Often, it's what employers or other professionals will use to form their initial impression. And how you present yourself can help influence whether someone invites you to connect, interview you, or simply move on.

Below, you'll learn what you need to write your bio and how to actually write one. You'll also find templates and some short professional bio examples to use as a guide.

Looking for a quicker way to a polished bio? Sign up for Teal for free and try the Professional Bio Generator.

What is a short professional bio? 

A short professional bio is exactly what it sounds like—a short professional biography that introduces yourself and gives a brief overview of your career and accomplishments. It gives future employees, colleagues, and anyone else you're networking with a more well-rounded picture of who you are.  

While "short" can be subjective, length often depends on the platform and the audience you're sharing your bio with. There's no one-size-fits-all, and you'll tailor the length based on where it's being shared—whether that’s on your personal website, LinkedIn profile, Twitter bio, or your resume.

What’s the difference between a professional bio and short professional bio?

A professional bio and a short professional bio both summarize your career, qualifications, and achievements, but each caters to different contexts and needs. 

A professional bio is a detailed account—that can span several paragraphs—and covers your:

  • Career background
  • Most noteworthy achievements and impact or results
  • Skills you've developed or are developing
  • Some personal insights

This version is appropriate for professional websites, long-form pitch documents, or networking platforms (like in your LinkedIn About Me section) where a more thorough introduction is valuable.

On the other hand, a short professional bio is a concise version that filters the most important information from your professional bio into key takeaways. A short bio:

  • Communicates your core qualifications
  • Briefly touches on your professional persona
  • Is ideal for your resume, author bio, or speaking engagements
  • Can be used across social media profiles like Twitter and Instagram

What to include in a short bio 

Your short bio should summarize the key takeaways from a longer, more rounded-out professional bio. Think of it as kind of an elevator pitch that highlights what you'd want your target audience (who doesn't know much—if anything—about you) to understand about your career so far.

Here are some things you'll want to address.

  • Level of education, if relevant to the audience
  • Years of experience in your field, if relevant to the audience
  • Your current or former career title
  • Major professional accomplishments with impact or goals
  • Professional experience, skills, and area(s) of expertise

Now, if you're a student or making a pivot, like transitioning into a new field where you might not have relevant work experience, you'll focus more on your educational achievements (think relevant awards, projects, or volunteer experience) and the skills and knowledge you're developing.

biography is short for

What to include in a short bio if you’re a student

Even if you're still in school, there's plenty of information you can include in your bio, like: 

  • Where you're from
  • What university, trade school, or boot camp you're attending
  • Your area of study or intended major
  • Any clubs, teams, volunteering, or other extracurriculars you're a part of 
  • Any internships you've completed
  • Your career goals 
  • Your availability

Generate your professional bio with AI

Want to save time? You can also use the Teal to generate multiple versions of your short professional bio.

How to write a short bio

There's no right or wrong way to write your own bio. Think of this next section as a guide, and remember: short professional bios are unique to each person.

Here are the things you might want to consider if you're ready to write your professional bio:

1. Choose your voice

You have the option to write your short bio from either a first or third-person POV.

In the first person, you'll use  "I, me, and my." In the third person, you'll refer to yourself using your name and preferred pronouns.

As a general rule, using the third person is typically considered more formal, while using the first person is more casual and personal.

 First-person example : "I'm a bestselling author. My work has been published in The New York Times."
Third-person example: "Zane Smith is a bestselling author. His work has been published in The New York Times."

If you want to write and store multiple versions of your short professional bio in different tones or even with different information, use Teal to write and save as many versions as you need for free.

2. Choose your tone

Language can convey different moods. Depending on the context and your personal brand , your bio can sound more buttoned-up or more relaxed and conversational.

These two sentences describe the same person but showcase very different tones and writing styles: 

Example 1: “A recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Sally is currently a consultant at XYZ Consulting based out of their New York office.” 
Example 2: “A recent UPenn grad, Sally swore off econ after years of hard classes only to end up as a consultant at a major firm — but don't worry, she loves it.” 

3. Start with your name and a current or recent role

This isn't a hard and fast rule, but to get your bio started, it's usually easiest to start with your name and current professional title or role. 

Example: “Zane Smith is currently the Demand Generation Manager at ABC Tech Company.”

If you're pivoting careers , you can list your most recent role and use your first sentence to say what you're looking to do next.

Example 1: “Previously the Demand Generation Manager at ABC Tech Company, Zane Smith is actively pursuing new opportunities in marketing management.” 
Example 2 : “Previously the Demand Generation Manager at ABC Tech Company, Zane Smith is now an aspiring 2nd grade teacher.” 

4. Share your accomplishments and achievements

Once you've introduced yourself and your current title, you can flow into your professional background, former job titles, and what you've done or aspire to do. Together, the first two sentences of your bio could read something like this: 

Example:  “Zane Smith is currently the Demand Generation Manager at ABC Tech Company. Previously, he was a Marketing Specialist at FGH Tech Company, where he grew paid traffic to their website by 500% year over year.” 

Pro Tip: Not sure where to start? Try the generative AI in the Teal Resume Builder . With Teal's AI, you can write individual achievement-based bullet points using a job description, keywords, or a custom prompt to articulate your accomplishments effectively and confidently.

A graphic of Teal's AI

5. Share your philosophy or “why” 

Self-promotion can feel incredibly uncomfortable, but it's important to make sure you don't undermine your value. Your “why,” the reason you do what you do every day, can be powerful and meaningful. Adding what gives you the spark to start each workday can set your own professional bio apart from others. 

Example: “Claire was inspired to pursue a career in elder law after volunteering in a nursing home throughout high school and college.” 

6. Add your personal touch

Even though your bio will be used in a professional capacity, it's okay to list a few personal details. We're more than just our jobs, and adding a few personal facts can help illustrate who you are outside of the office. 

Example: “When he's not working, Martin can be found tending to his spice garden and going on nature walks with his golden retriever.” 

Short professional bio examples

Examples of professional bios are invaluable because they provide a clear framework and inspiration for writing your own. They can also help you see how to condense years of experience into a few compelling sentences so you communicate the right details clearly, briefly, and full of impact. 

Short bio example for a personal website

short professional bio example for resume

"AUDREE KATE LOPEZ IS A FASHION STYLIST, EDITOR, INDUSTRY EXPERT AND INFLUENCER BASED IN NEW YORK. Audree began her professional career in the fashion departments at Glamour, O, the Oprah Magazine, Editorialist and Redbook magazines. She launched Audree Kate Studios in 2017 and worked on freelance projects at Marc Jacobs, Alice + Olivia, J.Crew and Club Monaco, joined the styling team at Alice + Olivia and became a contributing fashion editor for StyleCaster.com. Over the past few years Audree has styled for various publications, celebrities and retail brands. In 2016, Audree founded a digital course and community for fashion students called Fashion Fundamentals and has hosted workshops and classes around the country, and wrote an ebook titled Fashion Fundamentals."

Why it works: Audrey's bio immediately establishes her as a multifaceted professional within the fashion industry. It outlines her career trajectory and showcases broad experience and evolution, demonstrating growth and adaptability. The mention of initiatives and workshops adds a layer of approachability and commitment to education in her field, improving her appeal as an influencer and mentor.

Professional short bio example on LinkedIn

example of a short professional bio that has a punchy tone

"Latina creator. Speaker. Tech Mentor. Christen is the Founder of the newly launched app Clara, a community that empowers creators through transparency, brand reviews, and discoverability. An industry vet, Christen has almost a decade of experience working with top content creators at social networking companies such as Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. She is a motivational speaker and mentor in the tech space who is passionate about helping people break into the industry through career advice and actionable content."

Why it works: This professional bio online is punchy and concise. It opens by noting Christen's titles and includes years of experience, giving her credibility while underscoring her heritage (which can resonate strongly with a diverse audience on LinkedIn). By focusing on her app, she not only showcases initiative but also aligns herself with trends in tech innovation. Rounding out her short bio are details of working with top content creators, establishing her as a seasoned industry pro.

Short professional bio example on social media

biography is short for

"Founder of Makelane, a private community for female DTC founders. 70K followers on TikTok where I analyze consumer brands"

Why it works: With only 160 characters to work with, Dulma’s Twitter bio is an example of brevity. It clearly outlines her two main pursuits: managing an online community and producing content for TikTok, making it easy for readers to gauge her interests and activities at a glance.

Company website short bio examples

biography is short for

"Meet our wonderful team We're a tight-knit group of curious creatures, always learning, and constantly seeking out new perspectives and ideas. Get to know our team—they're what makes Teachable, well, Teachable."

Why it works: "Meet our wonderful team" feels like a personal invitation to get to know the group, which can make visitors more inclined to engage. Describing them as "tight-knit" and "curious creatures" adds character and illustrates a vibrant and collaborative work environment. Highlighting that the team is "always learning" and "constantly seeking out new perspectives" positions Teachable as a dynamic and innovative company—committed to growth and evolution.

Tips for writing a short bio

Even though there aren't official rules for writing a bio, there are still some things you should strive for as well as steer clear of if you want to make the best possible impression. 

1. Tailor your professional bio to your audience

Whether it's potential employers, LinkedIn connections, Twitter followers, or visitors to your website, each platform and audience has its own expectations. Keep your information relevant and concise, focusing on what matters most to that intended audience.

2. Be authentic

Your bio is not the place to fudge the truth about who you are. Be honest about what you've done and where you're heading. Not telling the truth could bar you from achieving your goals and land you in hot water. 

3. Prioritize relevant information

We really hate to be the one to tell you this, but unfortunately, most people do not have the time or patience to read a five-paragraph essay about your life story. Sorry to break it to you! 

4. Be relatable

No matter how lofty your accomplishments are, staying grounded may help you establish stronger connections with others. This is where adding personal details and highlighting your personal brand can serve you well. Whether that's with a hobby, interest , or other role outside of work, being relatable can let others understand and get to know you better and determine if you would be a good fit for a company.  

5. Be professional

It's appropriate and expected for you to talk about your professional skills and accomplishments in your short bio. That said, there's a fine line between talking about your achievements and sounding arrogant. These two examples talk about the same accomplishment but come across differently: 

Example 1: “An accomplished pianist, Ryan was selected out of nearly 7,000 applicants to perform at the annual New York State School Music Association festival last spring.” 
Example 2: “An accomplished pianist, Ryan was the obvious choice to perform at the annual New York State School Music Association festival last spring (because he's the best).” 

Also, if you're revising your bio after a lay-off or termination, avoid sounding spiteful. As tempting as it might be, don't make negative statements or accusations in your short bio. Positivity and a good attitude will get you much further.

Short professional bio templates

If you prefer to plug and play or need a short bio in a pinch, don't worry; here are three short bio templates to get you started:

Short professional bio template for working professionals

[First name last name] is [currently/formerly] a [insert most recent job title] at [most recent company name] . A proud graduate of [school or university] , they were inspired to pursue a career in [field] after [explain what led to your decision to work in your industry] . Prior to working at [most recent job title], they were the [previous title] at [previous company], where they were responsible for [insert professional accomplishments here] . In their free time, they can be found [insert your favorite hobbies] . 

Short professional biography template for students

[First name last name] is a current [year] at [institution] majoring in [area(s) of study] . On campus, [First name] is actively involved in [activity name] , for which they [insert details about what you do for the activity you're involved in] . They most recently [interned/worked] at [organization name] , where they had the opportunity to [insert details about what you did on the job] . They intend to work in the [insert field name or industry] after graduation to follow their passion of [insert what you are passionate about] . In their spare time, they can be found [insert your favorite hobbies] . 

Short professional bio template for a gap in employment

[First name last name] is a [position/job title] with [number] years of experience in [specific skills or industry] . Following [briefly mention the reason for the employment gap] , [he/she/they] took some time off to focus on [briefly mention what they did during the gap, e.g., personal development, family obligations, health reasons] . During this time, [he/she/they] also [briefly mention any relevant skills or achievements acquired during the gap] . [Name] is now eager to return to the workforce and is excited to bring [specific skills/accomplishments] to [his/her/their] next role. With a proven track record of [list specific achievements or skills] , [Name] is confident in [his/her/their] ability to contribute to [specific industry/profession] and make an impact in [his/her/their] next position.

If you decide to use any of these biography templates, tweak it ever-so-slightly. Once you've finished entering your details, try adding a bit of personal flair.

Swap adjectives, remove anything that doesn't quite fit with your vibe or experiences, or append some more personal details as you see fit. Feel free to work off of any one of the bios from these resume examples to get a feel for how different styles can be used across roles.

Create your short professional bio with Teal

In a digital world where your online presence often speaks before you do, writing a good, short professional bio is more important than ever. It's the first glimpse potential employers, clients, or colleagues get of your professional life and persona, and the right presentation can open doors to new opportunities and connections. 

Teal's Professional Bio Generator saves time by speeding up the writing process with AI. Whether you're trying to impress potential employers, clients, or peers, Teal's generator adapts to your needs and experience, allowing you to create a unique short bio for any audience with one click.

Ready to write a professional bio with maximum impact in less time?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an example of a short professional bio.

An example of a short professional bio is: "Katie is a seasoned marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in digital advertising strategies. She has helped numerous brands achieve their online marketing goals, leading to increased visibility and 3x revenue YoY."

How do you write an impressive short bio?

To write an impressive short bio, focus on your most significant achievements, relevant skills, and experiences that set you apart. Keep it concise and tailored to your audience to engage and leave a memorable impression. You can also use the Teal  AI Resume Builder  Generative AI to craft a bio that highlights your unique professional journey and skills in an engaging way.

What is a short biography about yourself?

A short biography about yourself should concisely summarize your professional background, major accomplishments, and skills. For example, "I'm an innovative software developer with 5 years of experience in creating scalable applications, known for my ability to troubleshoot complex issues and my commitment to delivering high-quality software solutions."

biography is short for

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How to Write Short Professional Bios with Examples

Stephen Greet

  • What is a Short Professional Bio

Preparing to Write Your Professional Bio

Crafting your professional bio, examples of short professional bios, short professional bio faqs.

A key aspect of growing your career is knowing how to showcase your strengths, experiences, and the value you offer a company. That includes using resume checkers , resume builders , and cover letter generators to write a top-notch professional bio and stand out in the hiring process.

The bio can be tricky when you’re only given a short space to work with and feel the need to stand out amongst others in your industry. So, where do you begin, and how do you optimize it?

We’ll guide you through the whole process in this article, covering the purpose of a professional bio, do’s and don’ts in the process, and short professional bio examples you can use as templates.

What Is a Short Professional Bio ?

What is a Short Professional Bio?

Before you start writing, it’s important to understand what a short professional bio is and its purpose. If you’re wondering, “What is a bio?” or “What should a bio include?” here’s a quick breakdown of the key components and objectives.

biography is short for

Definition and objectives

A professional bio briefly describes your skills, education, and accomplishments. It shows your value as an employee, professional, or businessperson.

A bio’s overall intent and structure can vary depending on where it’s going. For example, a professional social media bio may need to be more compact, whereas something on a company website may provide a slightly longer description of your professional experience.

Some of the most common places to put a short professional bio will be:

  • Social media: There’s a growing need for professionals to have a presence on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter. Due to the fast-paced nature of these platforms, bios are usually pretty short and to the point, and you’ll typically be given a character limit for how long they can be.
  • Company “About” or “Meet the Team” pages: If you’re employed at a company that wants to have an online presence, they may need a bio for you on their About or Meet the Team page. These bios may be a bit longer than those on social media and would be focused on the value you’ll bring while assisting the company’s clients or customers.
  • Resume bio: This is similar to a resume summary but will focus more on your top accomplishments and accolades. It’ll typically be a short two to three sentence description of your professional skills, achievements, and career goals.
  • Professional website: Those who are self-employed or business owners may have their portfolio or services posted on a professional website. You’d want to have a brief bio explaining your skills, experiences, and the products or services you offer.

biography is short for

Key components

Now that you have the use cases down let’s look at the primary components that every professional biography should have.

  • Your job title or the title you’re seeking: Your listed job title is a key indicator that your skills are right for a company or client’s needs. You’ll want to list your current job title to show your primary abilities. Additionally, entry-level job seekers or those wanting to advance their careers may also want to add a goal job title.
  • Top skills: Listing some top industry skills is a great way to make your bio stand out. For example, accountants may want to list skills in software like QuickBooks and Excel and essential tasks like expense reporting. Or, if you lack experience, your bio could focus on transferable skills like customer service or inventory management.
  • Accomplishments: Your notable accomplishments show what you’re capable of on the job. For instance, you could include some great sales numbers you achieved or how you helped boost client retention rates. Inexperienced applicants could also write about educational achievements or non-traditional work experience , such as attaining funding goals while volunteering with a non-profit.
  • Your passion: What makes you passionate about your job or the industry you want to work in? Sharing aspects like how your desire to help people made you want to become a nurse will help you connect with organizations and hiring managers when they see your bio.

Preparing to Write Your Professional Bio

Before writing a bio, you’ll want to gather the correct information to present a well-rounded overview of your skills. Determining the appropriate tone and style to satisfy your intent will also be essential.

biography is short for

Information gathering

So, what information do you need for a top-notch professional bio?

First, you’ll want to understand your target audience and the purpose of your bio.

For example, if you’ve recently re-entered the job market and are trying to craft a great LinkedIn bio that could grab a hiring manager’s attention, you’ll want to understand the characteristics of your ideal employer and how you can show you’re a match for their needs.

It’s often helpful to research companies hiring for your job title and write down some common characteristics you notice in job posts.

Someone looking for a role as a social media manager may notice many companies want to develop a more customer-focused approach. You could tailor your bio to emphasize how your social strategy and posting style help companies connect with their customers and make them feel valued.

The next step is determining the right skills to include. In many ways, this will be similar to selecting the right resume skills . Again, looking at job descriptions for your title will be helpful. When you see trends like many companies requiring social media manager skills in Sprout Social and the Adobe Suite, take note of that to reference those abilities in your bio.

Lastly, you’ll want to find numbers you can include to specify your accomplishments. In the example of a social media manager, that could be things like how your user-generated content strategies boosted follower counts by 32% and average click-through rates by 43%.

You can tailor this process to different use cases. For instance, if you’re writing a bio for an about page on a professional website, you could tailor it to how your skills will fit your prospective customer’s primary pain points. Or, if you’re trying to gain more followers on social media, you could detail why your professional expertise makes your posts valuable for a specific audience.

biography is short for

Selecting tone and style

The tone of your bio will depend on its purpose and the platform you’re posting it to.

For work or resume bios, you’d often want to tailor your tone to the company. If you’re crafting a work bio for a company website where the tone is lighthearted and fun, you’d likely want to match that. The same goes if you’re crafting a resume bio for a company that uses a very formal tone in the job description. It’s a good idea to match that to show how you’ll fit their professional workplace culture.

When your bio is more personal, such as on social media or a professional website that hosts your portfolio, you can use a tone that reflects your personality while still keeping it professional or aim for a tone that you believe would connect with your target audience.

You’ll also want to consider whether you should write your bio in first-person or third-person.

Generally, the best practice is to write your bio in the third person if it’s in a more formal context or where you wouldn’t be introducing yourself. That would be when it’s for a website you don’t own (such as the company you work for), when you’ll be a speaker at a conference, or for a book or other literature.

Using the first person will be a better fit when the context is more personal or when you’re introducing yourself, such as on social media or a professional website that you own.

Crafting Your Professional Bio

Now that you know the information you’ll need, let’s get into the essentials of how to write a bio and structure it appropriately. We’ll go over the introduction, how to highlight your achievements, and ways you can personalize so it stands out.

biography is short for

Introduction techniques

When introducing yourself in a bio, you should know if you’ll write in the first or third person since how you start will differ slightly between the two.

When writing in the third person, you should lead with your first and last name, such as “Denise Sampson is a graphic designer with over seven years of experience crafting engaging visuals for social media content.”

On the other hand, a first-person introduction would be a little different. If your name is displayed prominently elsewhere on the website or profile where your bio is hosted, you could begin it with words like “I” or “my,” such as “I’m a software developer who is passionate about helping others learn Python.”

Otherwise, if you still need to introduce your name, you could begin with something like, “My name is Todd Labowski. I’m an architect who has been leveraging 3D-printed materials in my commercial building designs for the last five years.”

As you introduce yourself, it’ll be important to emphasize your role and professional identity right away so others know what you do. This should include your current job title, any education that makes you stand out, and potentially your current employer.

Entry-level professionals like recent college graduates may also want to include a goal job title here. For example, you could say, “I’m a recent graduate from Oklahoma University with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, aiming to get into a role as a sports trainer to help athletes improve their performance.”

biography is short for

Highlighting achievements

Once you’ve effectively introduced your name and professional identity, it’ll be time to highlight achievements that grab a reader’s attention.

Remember who your target audience is when thinking about the accomplishments you want to highlight. You’ll likely want to choose things that are as relevant as possible to your job title, industry, or the career you’re striving to get into. For example, a teacher may want to highlight how their project-focused lesson plans led to higher test scores from students.

As you’ll notice in our resume templates and resume examples , we always recommend using numbers to describe your work experience . It’s a good idea to do so here as well to showcase the exact impact you had. In the example of a teacher, you could say, “I’ve always been a big advocate of using projects to reinforce learning since I’ve seen great results from project-focused lesson plans where they increased my students’ test scores by an average of 33%.”

Also, make sure these accomplishments tie into the overall message you want your bio to convey. If this were on a school’s website introducing staff members, the goal might be to reassure parents that your teaching skills will help their children get the best possible education. So, providing results like test scores or learning retention would be ideal for that purpose.

When you don’t have as much experience, you may need to get creative with the achievements you reference. However, you’ll still have many things to choose from, like educational accomplishments, volunteer work, or relevant hobbies and interests .

For instance, you could reference time volunteering as a youth baseball coach, where you used visual learning techniques to help players improve their batting percentages by 28%. Using an achievement like that would still showcase abilities that would make you an effective teacher.

biography is short for

Personalizing your bio

Just like in cover letters or letters of interest where you’d want to personalize your message to better connect with a hiring manager, you should take a similar approach when writing a professional bio.

Consider why you’re passionate about your job or the field you want to get into, and try to tie that into your overall message.

For example, let’s say you’re a personal trainer. A big part of your story and why you pursued that career path is that when you started working out, you lost 30 pounds, which helped you gain confidence and a better outlook on life. So, you want to do the same for your clients.

You could phrase that in your bio by saying, “Jack’s passion for the gym started after he lost 30 pounds and noticed himself having more energy and confidence in his daily life. When he sees clients smile after beating a personal best on an exercise or start walking into the gym with more confidence, it reinforces why he works hard to set up proper programming and diet plans to help others achieve the same results he did.”

Some other ways you could personalize a professional bio are:

  • Sharing your values and how they impact your career. For example, your desire for accountability in business could show why you value a role as a quality control advisor.
  • Briefly describe who you are outside of work, such as detailing your favorite hobbies and interests . Maybe you’re a big chess player, which will show why you’re a great strategic manager.
  • Share your personal insights. What have you noticed while working in your field that others don’t always mention? What things have led to your personal success?

Professional Bio Do’s and Dont’s

Professional Bio Do's and Dont's

You have the basic structure down. Now, let’s review some best practices and common pitfalls to ensure your short bio is as successful as possible.

biography is short for

Best practices

Some best practices when writing a professional bio are:

  • Keep it concise: Your bio should be a quick summary of who you are and your professional expertise. This will be between three to five sentences or 100 words or less in most cases unless otherwise specified by the organization that’ll be posting your bio.
  • Include the most relevant information: Consider your intent and the audience reading your bio, such as if it’s for a job application, professional networking site, or conference. Then, include the most relevant details, such as why your expertise in agile methodologies will make your speech at a conference valuable for project managers.
  • Highlight achievements over responsibilities: Listing responsibilities sounds too bland and won’t grab attention. So, rather than saying you’ve been in charge of quality assurance for the last seven years, you should emphasize key accomplishments, such as using failure testing to identify 58% more product errors before launch.
  • Update regularly: Just like you should refresh your resume as you advance your career, do the same with your bio. Regularly add new expertise you gain that’ll be more relevant, especially as technology changes with updates to the software you use or more efficient techniques are developed. Plus, update your job title and any other relevant information as it changes.

biography is short for

Common pitfalls

Some common pitfalls professionals run into with bios are:

  • Sharing too many details: You don’t need to list all the top skills you put on your resume or every notable achievement you’ve had in your bio. Instead, focus on a couple of skills and one or two achievements that will relate to the audience reading it.
  • Being too vague: Many professionals end up with bios that sound too generic when they don’t list specific skills or achievements. Rather than saying, “Beth Lancaster has extensive experience in the business world,” try for something like, “Beth Lancaster has been managing mergers and acquisitions for 12 years, using change management strategies to make new policy development 57% more efficient and effective.”
  • Overloading with jargon: While you want to share your expertise, using too many technical terms that only someone in your role will understand will confuse an audience that doesn’t have the same knowledge. This is especially common when you’re in a highly technical field like a software engineer or medical researcher. So, aim for simple explanations with impacts that anyone can understand.
  • Grammar errors: A bio full of grammatical errors will detract from your professional image. So, always proofread before you post or submit it.

Examples of Short Professional Bios

To help you put it all together, here are some short bio examples for different platforms and professions. You can use these examples as a professional bio template that you customize with your own details.

biography is short for

Bios across platforms

When learning how to write a bio about yourself, you must consider the platform on which it will be posted. Here are some biography examples for the most popular places where you might post one.

LinkedIn Bio Example

In your “About” section on LinkedIn, you’ll be given a maximum character limit of 2,600 to write your bio. That comes out to a maximum of about 400-500 words. However, you’ll generally want it shorter than that to ensure those who come across your profile read your entire bio. Somewhere between 75-150 words is a good range on LinkedIn.

Generally, writing in the first person will be best for LinkedIn since it’s less formal, and you usually don’t need to introduce your name since it’s displayed prominently on your profile.

Here’s an example:

“I’m a driven software engineer at CodeCraft with over 13 years of experience using Javascript to create interactive webpage designs.

The main reason I started learning Javascript is I noticed that a company’s website can make or break my feelings about them and whether I’ll make a purchase. This made me want to create designs that bring a business owner’s vision to life.

My techniques have yielded great results. Using dynamic content, animation, and progressive web apps tailored to each page visitor, I’ve increased consumer engagement by an average of 55% and repeat visitors by 39% for our clients at CodeCraft.

I’m eager to connect with others in the tech industry and share how we can use software design to level up business performance.”

Twitter Professional Bio Examples

Your bio on Twitter will need to be very concise since you’ll have a 160-character maximum on that platform. You’ll need to quickly introduce yourself and show why someone should trust your expertise, look through your profile, and follow you.

Here are a couple of examples:

Twitter Bio Example #1:

“Developmental editor who has reviewed over 2 million words, including working on 3 NYT bestselling novels. Follow for tips to make your writing shine.”

Twitter Bio Example #2:

“Ex hairstylist turned beauty brand manager. You can call me the brand stylist. I’ll show you how I use design and messaging to increase sales.”

Personal Website Bio Example

When you own a business or are self-employed, you may have a personal website where you need a bio about yourself. You’d typically have a short personal bio introducing yourself on your website’s homepage or in a dedicated “About Me” section.

“I’m Kim Li, a dedicated real estate agent passionate about helping clients sell their homes and get into their dream property. I’ve always enjoyed presenting elements that turn a house into a home for the right buyer, and I know just how important it is to come home to a property you love after a long day of work.

With my 97% positive customer satisfaction score and track record of selling properties an average of eight days faster than industry standards, I’m confident my property marketing and negotiation skills will get you the results you’re seeking.”

Example of a Work Bio for a Company Website

When writing a work bio for your employer’s “Meet the Team” page, you’ll typically want to ensure it’s formal and in the third person. Usually, these will be 100 words or less, but make sure you tailor it to the specific guidelines your employer gives you.

“Jessica Martin is the junior financial account manager at Peak Performance. As a recent grad from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance, she’s ready to apply up-to-date loss prevention strategies, like internal cost control, to ensure businesses remain profitable. Accountability is one of the biggest things she values. That value has especially grown over the three years she managed the finances as a volunteer for Pet Support, a local animal shelter. She quickly realized how expenses rack up for an organization and the importance of proper management. You can trust Jessica will put forth the same detailed effort for your business.”

biography is short for

Bios across professions

Now, let’s look at how you can tailor your bio based on your industry’s needs. Here are some short professional bio examples across industries.

Example Bio for IT/Tech

Creating a bio in information technology presents unique challenges due to the highly technical nature of many of your daily tasks. You’ll often need to simplify your bio to make it easy to understand for a wide audience with different levels of expertise.

Here’s an example of a cybersecurity engineer bio that makes the impact of complex tasks like cryptography easier to understand:

“Connor Blake is a cybersecurity engineer with five years of experience in external threat prevention. His passion for digital security started at age 16 when his mom’s bank account was hacked, and he saw the hardships it caused. Since then, he’s been growing his skills, having received his master’s degree in computer science from Michigan State University and working on a specialization in cryptography techniques that mask business passwords and data access points so only internal employees can access them. His efforts have reduced company data leaks by an average of 67%.”

Example Bio for Construction/Trades

Construction and trade resumes must be updated often, as modern techniques and materials are continuously evolving, such as the growing use of raised access flooring. You’ll need to make it understandable for any customer or client seeking help on a project.

Here’s an example of a commercial flooring installer bio:

“Sam Peterson is a commercial flooring installer with Elite Flooring Solutions. She’s passionate about helping businesses achieve the right flooring aesthetics and sturdy installations to ensure a standout experience for all customers who frequent local stores in our community. With four years of experience installing raised access flooring to reduce installation costs by 35% and 98% satisfaction from our clients, you can trust that her expertise will result in an accurate job that gets done right the first time.”

Example Bio for Culinary

Foodservice has many health codes and standards you must uphold, so it’s essential for culinary pros to show their responsible expertise in professional bios.

Here’s an example of how a restaurant manager could do this effectively:

“Jake Kensington is the restaurant manager for Bella Cucina Ristorante. He’s always appreciated how a high-quality dining experience can help others connect and enjoy some of life’s biggest moments. Not to mention his love of pasta and risotto, which brought him to Bella Cucina Ristorante to serve up some of the best Italian dishes in New York. Using his seven-step quality assurance process and employee health training protocols, he’s helped maintain grade-A health code ratings and reviews averaging 4.9 stars out of 5 throughout his eight-year tenure.”

Example Bio for Sales/Marketing

Every sales pitch that you want to stand out needs to be relevant to your target audience. Do the same with your bio by listing some top industry skills and accomplishments showing your sales expertise.

“Bella Richardson is a sales lead with New Marketing Solutions. Having always had an entrepreneurial mindset, she’s had a growing interest in helping startups succeed and finding intricacies that make businesses stand out amongst the competition. She’s been using a solution-selling approach for the last five years at New Marketing Solutions to better connect with prospective clients’ needs and lead an average annual growth in sales of 27%.”

Example Bio for Health

Presenting expert knowledge and the ability to comply with regulations is essential in fast-paced health jobs. Whether you’re new to the field or have advanced experience, you’ll want to present those relevant abilities in your bio.

“Matt Keyser is a recent grad of the Medical College of Washington. Matt received his MD after completing his residency at Seattle Memorial Hospital and is now aiming to get into the geriatric care sector. He decided to pursue a career in medicine after working as a resident assistant at a nursing home in high school and seeing the diligent work the medical care team did to provide a better quality of life. He aims to use his patient care and diagnostic evaluation skills to do the same for every patient he works with.”

Short Professional Bio FAQs

The best ways to make a bio stand out are to include personal elements and ensure the skills and achievements you list are relevant to your audience. For example, someone seeking a job as a police officer could detail how they want to use their crisis management and community awareness skills to provide a safer community for everyone. This will stand out to police precincts seeking skilled and compassionate candidates.

When you don’t have much professional experience, you may need to get creative with how you present skills and accomplishments in your bio. Things like educational achievements, volunteer work, participating in school clubs, or your hobbies and interests can all provide relevant information. For instance, you could detail how your time in your school’s math club has given you precise abilities that will translate into jobs like data entry.

If you aren’t sure whether your bio should be in the first or third person, try reviewing the website where it’ll be posted to get an idea of how others have structured theirs. After that, if you’re still unsure, you can always ask your employer or the organization you’re writing the bio for to clarify.

Your professional bio should include your name, job title, relevant education, top skills, and an accomplishment or two that will stand out. You may also want to include your current employer’s name to give readers a better idea of who you are. Try to research things like top industry skills beforehand to narrow in on the most important details to write about.

In general, around 100 words or less is a good length for short professional bios. Typically, you’ll want it to be about three to five sentences to keep it concise and highly relevant to your audience. However, the right length can differ depending on the platform. For example, Twitter bios are restricted to a max of 160 characters. If it’s a work bio for your employer, you may also want to ask how long it should be.

Related articles

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How to Write a Short Professional Bio

Trevor Richfield

  • Jul 4, 2024
  • 6,793 views

Creating a compelling professional bio is an essential task for anyone looking to make a strong impression in their career. In this article, we will guide you through the process of writing a concise and effective text that captures your professional essence, showcases your expertise , and makes a memorable impact.

We'll provide practical tips and examples to help you craft a bio that not only resonates with your audience but also reflects your personal brand. This article will equip you with the tools to compose a professional biography.

What is a Professional Bio

A short personal bio is a concise summary that introduces you. It's typically a brief paragraph or a few sentences long and is used in various professional contexts such as social media profiles, company websites, conference speaker introductions, networking events, and job applications.

The purpose of a professional biography is to give a snapshot of who you are professionally , encouraging further interest in your work .

A well-crafted short work bio is a versatile tool that can enhance your career presence and open up new opportunities. Below we will show you how to format it, which key elements should a bio contain, and what tone to use.

What Format to Choose

The voice and tone should match the context in which the bio will be used and the audience it is intended for. Here are key considerations and tips.

  • Platform. Where will the bio be used? A bio for LinkedIn might be more professional and formal compared to a biography for a company’s "About Us" page or a social media profile.
  • Audience. Who is your target audience? Consider the expectations and preferences of your readers, whether they are potential employers, clients, colleagues, or industry peers.

First Person vs. Third Person

  • First Person (I, Me, My). Use this option for a more personal and direct approach, often suitable for websites.
  • Third Person (He, She, They). Employ it for a traditional resume bio, which is often preferred for LinkedIn profiles, and professional publications.

Formal vs. Informal Voice

  • Formal. Use it for corporate websites, professional networks, academic or industry journals, and other official contexts.
  • Informal. It may be appropriate for personal websites, blogs, certain social media platforms, or creative industry jobs.

Tone and Language

  • Polished. Ensure that the language is clear and free of jargon (unless it is industry-specific keywords and your audience will understand it).
  • Approachable. If the context allows, you can adopt a friendly and conversational tone to make the bio more engaging.

Consistency

  • Align with Personal Brand. Your bio should be consistent with your documents like your resume, cover letter , and online profiles.
  • Company/Industry Standards. If you are writing a professional bio for an organization website or publication, ensure it aligns with the standard tone and style used by the firm.

Formal Example of a Bio:

Corporate Executive: "Mary Johnson is the Chief Financial Officer at Global Enterprises, where she oversees financial planning, risk management, and strategic investments. With over 20 years of experience in corporate finance, Mary has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and profitability. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Mary is also a member of the American Institute of CPAs." Academic: "Dr. Robert Lee is a Professor of Environmental Science at Green University. His research focuses on climate change mitigation and sustainable development. With over 30 years of experience in academia, Dr. Lee has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles and received several prestigious awards, including the National Science Foundation Grant. He earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University."

Informal Example of a Bio:

Startup Founder: "Hey, I’m Alex, the founder of Spark Innovations. I started this company to create smart home devices that make life easier and more enjoyable. With a background in engineering and a passion for tech, I love turning innovative ideas into reality. When I’m not working, you can find me exploring the outdoors or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen." Creative Professional: "Hi, I’m Emma, a freelance graphic designer and illustrator. I specialize in creating vibrant, eye-catching designs that help brands stand out. With over 10 years of experience, I’ve worked with clients ranging from startups to established companies. In my free time, I enjoy painting, traveling, and spending time with my rescue dog, Max."

Balanced Example of a Bio:

Consultant: "David Brown is a Management Consultant at Peak Solutions, where he helps businesses optimize their operations and improve profitability. With a decade of experience in the consulting industry, David has a track record of delivering impactful solutions to clients across various sectors. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Chicago and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt." Nonprofit Leader: "Susan Clark is the Executive Director of Unity Hub, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting underserved communities. With over 15 years of experience in the this sector, Susan has led numerous successful initiatives that have significantly improved community welfare." Tech Professional: "I’m Michael, a Senior Software Developer at Innovatech. I specialize in developing scalable web applications and have a keen interest in cybersecurity. With over 8 years in the tech industry, I’ve worked on projects that enhance user experience and security. Outside of work, I’m an avid coder who loves contributing to open-source projects and staying updated with the latest tech trends." Healthcare Professional: "I’m Dr. Laura Green, a pediatrician at Sunshine Medical Center. I’ve been practicing medicine for over 12 years and am passionate about providing compassionate care to children and their families. I received my medical degree from Johns Hopkins University and completed my residency at Boston Children’s Hospital. When I’m not in the clinic, I enjoy volunteering at local health camps and spending time with my family."

Below are the main elements that you can add to your personal bio.

  • Begin it with your full name and current job title or professional role.
Example: "John Smith is a Senior Software Engineer specializing in AI at Tech Innovations."
  • Summarize your career history , highlighting key roles and experiences.
Example: "With over 7 years of experience in software development, John has led teams in designing and implementing AI-driven solutions for diverse applications."
  • Showcase notable accomplishments that demonstrate your expertise and impact in your field.
Example: "John's innovative approach to AI development has resulted in a 20% increase in operational efficiency and recognition as a thought leader in machine learning."
  • List specific skills and areas of expertise that are relevant to your profession.
Example: "His technical skills include machine learning algorithms, natural language processing, and data visualization."
  • Mention your highest degrees , certifications, and any specialized training.
Example: "John holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Stanford University and is certified in Deep Learning by Coursera."
  • Note any memberships in professional organizations or associations.
Example: "He is an active member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and regularly attends industry conferences."
  • Include a brief mention of hobbies , interests, or personal values to humanize your bio.
Example: "Outside of work, John enjoys hiking, playing chess, and volunteering at local STEM education programs."
  • Provide a way for readers to connect with you professionally, such as your LinkedIn profile or email address.
Example: "Connect with John on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john"

How Long Should a Professional Bio Be

A work bio should generally be concise yet informative , striking a balance between providing enough detail to showcase your qualifications and keeping the reader engaged.

The length of a professional biography can vary depending on the context in which it will be used, but here are some general guidelines:

Short Bio (1 Paragraph):

  • Purpose: Used for social media profiles, conference programs, resumes or when a brief introduction is needed.
  • Length: Typically 50-150 words.
  • What to include in a bio: Focus on your current role, key skills, and a notable achievement or two. Avoid too much detail or extensive background.

Medium-Length Bio (2 Paragraphs):

  • Purpose: Suitable for LinkedIn, company websites, or speaker introductions where more detail is appropriate.
  • Length: Around 150-300 words.
  • What to include in a bio: Occupation, career summary, main achievements, skills , education, and any relevant affiliations. Provide enough information to give a comprehensive overview without overwhelming the reader.

Longer Bio (Extended):

  • Purpose: Used in detailed professional accounts, publications, or bios for speaking engagements where a thorough background is expected.
  • Length: Can range from 300 words to 500, depending on the requirements.
  • What to include in a bio: All elements of the medium-length bio but with additional details such as specific projects, articles, presentations, honors, and a more extensive work history. This version allows for a deeper dive into your professional background and accomplishments.

Examples of a Professional Bio

Resume bio examples.

Dentist "Dr. Tamara Paul is a dedicated and experienced dentist with over 10 years of practice in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. She has a proven track record of enhancing patient smiles through advanced procedures such as veneers, crowns, and Invisalign treatments. Tamara is an active member of the American Dental Association and has been published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry." Housekeeper "Gladys Jaggers is known for her impeccable work ethic and thoroughness. She completed a professional certification program at the International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association. Gladys's expertise includes deep cleaning, organizing, and using eco-friendly products. Connect with her on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jaggershousekeeper." Nurse "Shelia Doul is a compassionate and highly skilled registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science from the University of California. She has received multiple accolades for her dedication, including the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Emily is also certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). Outside of work, she enjoys running marathons and volunteering with local health initiatives." Legal Assistant "David Zimmerman is an efficient and knowledgeable legal assistant. With over 5 years of experience in a fast-paced law firm, David specializes in legal research, document preparation, and client communications. He is proficient in various legal software applications and has been recognized for his exceptional support during high-profile litigation." Kindergarten Teacher "Laura Green is a passionate and creative kindergarten teacher with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Boston College. With over 8 years of experience in fostering a nurturing and engaging learning environment, she has developed innovative curriculum strategies that support cognitive and social development. Laura has presented at educational conferences and contributed to early childhood education publications."

LinkedIn Sample Bios

LinkedIn Sample Bio

Tech Professional

"I am a Senior Software Engineer at Tech Innovations, specializing in cloud architecture and scalable solutions. With a decade of experience in software development, I have led teams in delivering cutting-edge projects for Fortune 500 clients."

Marketing Executive

"Karen Stott is the VP of Marketing at Brandio, where she drives brand strategy and customer engagement initiatives. With a passion for digital innovation, Jane has successfully launched campaigns that have doubled online sales."

Finance Manager

"I am Michael Johnson, a Finance Manager at Wealth Management Associates, overseeing investment portfolios and financial planning strategies. With over 15 years in finance, I am dedicated to helping clients achieve their financial goals."

Human Resources Specialist

"Emily Brown is an HR at Elite Hire Inc., focusing on recruitment plans and employee development programs. With a background in organizational psychology, Emily fosters a positive work culture and talent retention."

Graphic Designer

"I am a Creative Director at Artify, specializing in visual storytelling and brand identity design. With my keen eye for aesthetics and a decade of experience, I transform ideas into compelling video narratives."

Company Websites

CEO "Allene Williams is the CEO of Innovate Tech Solutions, driving company vision and growth strategies. With a background in technology and leadership, Mark has expanded market reach and profitability across global markets." Sales Manager "Sarah Davis is the Sales Manager at Shopping Guru Inc., leading a high-performing team in exceeding revenue targets. Sarah’s strategic approach and customer-centric focus have driven a 30% increase in sales year-over-year." Research Scientist "Dr. Alex Chen is a Scientist at BioTech Innovations, pioneering breakthroughs in biotechnology and genomic research. With numerous patents and publications, Alex is at the forefront of advancing medical science." Operations Director "Laura White is the Operations Director at Logistics Plus, optimizing supply chain efficiency and logistics management. With a background in engineering and logistics, Laura streamlines operations to enhance customer satisfaction." Customer Support Manager "Chris Roberts is the Customer Support Manager at Service Excellence Ltd., overseeing a team dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service. With a focus on customer satisfaction metrics, Chris ensures every interaction exceeds expectations."

Conference Speaker Short Bio Examples

Conference Speaker Short Bio Example

Keynote Speaker

"Dr. Jessica Adams is a leading expert in artificial intelligence and robotics, currently serving as Chief Scientist at Next Gen. With a PhD from MIT and over 20 years of research, Jessica’s work is shaping the future of technology."

Panel Moderator

"Tom Wilson is an award-winning journalist and moderator, bringing over 32 years of experience in media and communications. Tom’s insightful interviews and panels have sparked meaningful discussions at international forums."

Industry Thought Leader

"Dr. Emily Liu is a thought leader in sustainable development and environmental policy, serving as Director of Sustainability at GreenTech Solutions. Emily's know-how guides corporations and governments in achieving earth-friendly practices."

Entrepreneurial Visionary

"Gary Wilkins is the founder and CEO of Startup Alpha, disrupting the fintech industry with innovative blockchain solutions. With a background in computer science and entrepreneurship, Gary is driving digital transformation in finance."

Academic Expert

"Professor Rachel Nguyen is a distinguished scholar in economics, holding a PhD from Harvard University and teaching at Ivy League Business School. Rachel’s research on global markets and economic policies informs international strategies."

Social Media Profiles Short Biography Examples

Fitness Coach "Erna Gordon is a Certified Fitness Trainer passionate about promoting health and wellness. With personalized training programs and nutrition expertise, she empowers clients to achieve their fitness goals." Travel Blogger "Hi! My name is Mark William. I travel the globe, sharing inspiring stories and tips on my blog, Wanderlust Adventures. With my love for cultural immersion and off-the-beaten-path experiences, I invite readers to explore the world." Food Influencer "I am a Food Enthusiast and Chef, sharing mouthwatering recipes and culinary adventures on Instagram. My passion for gourmet cuisine and food styling inspires followers to elevate their dining experiences." Fashion Designer "Kellie Bess designs timeless fashion pieces that blend elegance with contemporary flair. With a focus on sustainable fashion, Kellie’s collections reflect her commitment to craftsmanship and ethical practices." Photographer "Max Taylor captures moments of beauty and emotion through photography. Specializing in landscapes and portraits, Max’s artistry celebrates the natural world and human connections."

Professional Blogs Short Personal Bios Examples

Professional Blog Personal Bio

Business Consultant

"Sarah Reynolds advises businesses on strategic planning and growth initiatives. With a background in management consulting, Sarah shares practical insights and case studies on her blog, Forward-Thinking Advisor."

Healthcare Specialist

"Dr. Jonathan Moore writes about advancements in medical research and patient care on his account, Viva Care. With mastery in cardiology and a passion for health education, Jonathan aims to empower readers with knowledge."

Legal Expert

"Maria Garcia provides legal analysis and updates on corporate law and regulatory compliance on her website, Legal Insights. Maria’s articles offer clarity on complex legal issues."

Technology Reviewer

"Shawn Calkins reviews the latest gadgets and tech innovations on his page, Tech Trends Unboxed. With hands-on reviews and comparisons, Shawn helps followers make informed decisions in the tech marketplace."

Career Coach

"Linda Richardson offers career advice and professional development tips on her blog, Work Pathways. With experience in HR and recruitment, Linda guides individuals in navigating their employment journeys."

Personal Websites Biography Examples

Author "Latisha Reese is a bestselling author of suspense novels, captivating audiences with gripping plots and memorable characters. Her storytelling prowess and literary acclaim have earned her a dedicated global readership." Artist "Sophie Reyes expresses her creativity through abstract paintings that evoke emotion and introspection. Sophie’s artwork is featured in galleries and private collections worldwide, blending color theory with personal narrative." Musician: "Tommy Menchaca is a versatile musician, known for his soulful vocals and guitar virtuosity. With a passion for blues and jazz, Tommy captivates audiences in intimate venues and music festivals." Educator "Dr. Rachel Carter inspires students as a professor of literature, fostering critical thinking and cultural appreciation. With a PhD in English Literature, Rachel illuminates literary classics and contemporary discourse." Philanthropist "George Paulsen is dedicated to philanthropy, supporting initiatives in education and community development. With a commitment to social responsibility, George empowers underserved populations through charitable giving."

Professional Networking Events Short Bio Examples

Professional Networking Events Bio Examples

Event Participant

"Rex Carter is a seasoned professional in artificial intellect research, currently exploring new opportunities in tech startups. With a background in neural networks and a passion for innovation, Rex seeks collaborations in AI-driven solutions."

Job Fair Participant

"David Lee is an aspiring graphic designer eager to bring creativity and visual storytelling skills to a dynamic design agency. With a portfolio showcasing diverse projects, David aims to contribute fresh perspectives to design teams."

Industry Conference Attendee

"Glenn Wang attends industry conferences to stay abreast of emerging trends in technology and leadership strategies. As CEO of Xcelera, Glenn fosters partnerships and thought leadership in digital transformation."

Entrepreneurial Showcase Presenter

"Irene Dearmond pitches innovative sales planning and customer engagement solutions at entrepreneurial showcases. With a proven track record in sales management, Irene seeks investment opportunities to scale business growth."

Career Fair Participant

"Bruce Holder connects with top employers at employment fairs, showcasing expertise in customer support and relationship management. With a commitment to excellence, Bruce explores growth pathways in dynamic industries."

Speaker Short Biography Examples for Workshops and Seminars

Workshop Facilitator "Dr. Emily Dunham leads workshops on sustainable development and corporate sustainability. As Director of Sustainability at Innovu, Emily empowers organizations to adopt eco-friendly practices." Seminar Speaker "Professor Thelma Pugh delivers seminars on world economics and business trends. With a background in international markets and financial analysis, Pr. Pugh guides executives and entrepreneurs in navigating global complexities." Panelist at Industry Panel "Diana Clark shares insights on media ethics and effective communication as a panelist at industry forums. With a career spanning journalism and media relations, Diana enriches discussions on media impact." Development Seminar Presenter "Emily Brown presents seminars on HR trends and talent acquisition strategies. With experience in organizational psychology, Emily equips HR professionals with tools for fostering inclusive workplaces." Leadership Workshop Leader "Jose Kelly facilitates leadership workshops focused on transformative leadership and organizational change. With a background in executive coaching, Jose inspires leaders to drive innovation and strategic growth."

Professional Certifications and Online Profiles

IT Professional

"Delores Brooks is certified in Cybersecurity and Network Administration by CompTIA. With a passion for IT security, Delores secures networks and data integrity for global enterprises."

Marketing Specialist

"Anna Smith holds a Digital Marketing Certificate from Google and is skilled in SEO and PPC campaigns. With a data-driven approach, Anna maximizes online visibility and lead generation for clients."

Online Freelancer Profile – Writer

"Zelma Perez is a freelance writer specializing in tech blogs and content marketing. With a love for storytelling and online trends, Zelma creates persuasive narratives that resonate with diverse audiences."

Short Professional Bio Examples - Conclusion

Writing a short professional bio is a powerful way for effectively communicating your professional identity.

Whether you're showcasing your expertise on LinkedIn, introducing yourself at a networking event, or presenting at a conference, a work bio should be concise, compelling, and tailored to your audience.

By highlighting your achievements, skills, and unique contributions, you can create a memorable impression and open doors to new opportunities. Remember to keep the resume bio updated, relevant, and authentic , reflecting your personal brand and professional journey succinctly yet meaningfully.

Create your professional Resume in 10 minutes for FREE

biography is short for

Trevor Richfield

Career Coach & Professional Resume Writer

Trevor is a professional resume writer, career coach, and Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert (NCOPE) with well over 1,000 resumes under his belt. He emphasizes the importance of building an authentic professional brand you are proud to display to potential collaborators and employers. From recent graduates to executive leaders, Trevor has helped professionals land jobs at Fortune 500 companies and expand their own independent ventures.It's not only about results with Trevor, but about a continuous journey of professional and personal empowerment.

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When You Write

How to Write a Bio That Stands Out

As budding writers, we all understand the nuance of storytelling, but what about when we try and tell our own story? How can we promote ourselves while keeping it succinct and without wafting on?

Well, with the right approach, anyone can craft an effective and engaging introduction of themselves! 

Whether you need it for a job application or your author profile on your website, this article will show you how to write a memorable bio that people won’t forget.

We all have our own unique stories, so why not share yours in a way that does you justice? A well-written bio is an opportunity to inform readers about who you are – both professionally and personally. It’s also an excellent way to showcase your achievements in concise yet persuasive language.

With some creativity and attention to detail, your bio can stand out from the crowd and make an impactful first impression.

Definition of a bio and why do you need one?

First off, let’s cover what a bio is… A bio (short for biography) is a short description of who you are, what you do, and why you do it. It is a concise summary of your professional or personal background that can be used on various platforms, such as social media, websites, or business cards. 

Bios come in many forms and lengths, depending on the purpose and audience, but the main key is to highlight your unique selling points and make a memorable impression.

Having a bio is important for several reasons, it allows you to introduce yourself and establish your credibility or expertise in a particular field. A well-crafted bio can make a strong first impression and grab the attention of potential clients, employers, or collaborators. 

The main goal of a bio is to provide a concise and compelling introduction to the person, showcasing their unique selling points and establishing their credibility or expertise in a particular field. They come in many forms and lengths, ranging from a few sentences to several paragraphs or pages, depending on the purpose and audience.

Overall, a bio can help you stand out from the crowd and differentiate yourself from competitors. By highlighting your unique skills, experiences, or achievements, you can showcase your value proposition and demonstrate why you are the right fit for a particular opportunity.

Importance of having a bio

Having a bio is essential for several reasons. First and foremost, it allows you to introduce yourself to others and convey your professional or personal identity in a clear and concise way. This can be particularly important in situations where you need to establish your credibility or expertise, such as when you’re applying for a job or pitching a project.

In addition, having a well-crafted bio can help you stand out from the crowd from others who have similar backgrounds or qualifications. By highlighting your unique selling points, such as your skills, experiences, or achievements, you can showcase why you are the right fit for a particular opportunity or audience.

A bio can also serve as a powerful personal branding tool, helping you to establish a consistent and memorable online presence that aligns with your professional or personal goals. By crafting a compelling and authentic narrative about yourself, you can create a lasting impression on your audience and build trust and rapport with them over time.

Ultimately, having a bio is a crucial element of effective communication and self-promotion. Whether you’re a business owner, artist, entrepreneur, or job seeker, investing time and effort into creating a strong and impactful bio can pay off in many ways, from boosting your visibility and credibility to opening up new opportunities and collaborations

Where to use a bio

Bios can be used in various contexts and platforms, both online and offline. Here are some examples of where you might want to use a bio:

  • Social media profiles: Social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram often have a dedicated space for bios, which allows you to introduce yourself to your followers and establish your personal brand.
  • Business websites: If you own a business or offer a service, having a bio on your website can help potential customers or clients learn more about your background and expertise.
  • Author pages: If you’re a writer or an author, having a bio on your book or blog can help readers understand your perspective and connect with your work.
  • Professional profiles: When you’re applying for a job or networking with other professionals, having a strong bio on your resume or LinkedIn profile can help you stand out and showcase your qualifications and achievements.
  • Speaking engagements: When you’re invited to give a talk or a presentation, having a bio on the event website or the introduction can help establish your authority and credibility with the audience.

In general, bios can be used anywhere where you want to introduce yourself to others and make a positive impression. The key is to adapt your bio to the specific context and audience and to highlight your unique selling points in a way that resonates with your readers or listeners.

What to include in a bio

When crafting a bio, it’s important to include relevant information that highlights your strengths, accomplishments, and personality. Here are some elements that you might want to consider including:

  • Your name and title: Start with your full name and job title or area of expertise. This can help establish your authority and credibility right from the start.
  • Your background and experience: Provide a brief overview of your education, training, and professional background. Highlight any relevant experience or skills that you have that are relevant to your audience.
  • Your achievements and awards: If you have received any notable awards, recognition, or achievements in your field, be sure to mention them. This can help establish your expertise and credibility in the eyes of your audience.
  • Your values and personality: Consider including a sentence or two about your personal values or interests. This can help readers or listeners connect with you on a more personal level and understand what makes you unique.
  • Your current projects or goals: If you are currently working on any projects or have specific goals in your career or personal life, consider mentioning them. This can help establish your focus and direction, and showcase your drive and ambition.
  • Your call to action: If you want to encourage your audience to take a specific action, such as contacting you, following you on social media, or visiting your website, be sure to include a clear call to action at the end of your bio.

Ultimately, the key is to focus on the most relevant and compelling information that will help you achieve your goals, whether it’s establishing your expertise, building your personal brand, or connecting with your audience.

How long should your bio be?

The length of your bio can vary depending on the context and platform where it will be used. Generally, a bio should be concise and to-the-point, while still providing enough information to establish your credibility and personality.

For social media profiles or personal websites, a bio of one to two paragraphs is usually sufficient. This allows you to provide a brief overview of your background, interests, and values, without overwhelming your audience with too much information.

On the other hand, for professional profiles or resumes, a slightly longer bio of up to 500 words may be appropriate. This allows you to go into more detail about your education, experience, and achievements, and to provide a more comprehensive overview of your qualifications.

The key is to focus on quality over quantity. Your bio should be engaging and informative, and should provide a clear sense of who you are and what you have to offer. 

If you can achieve that in a few sentences, great! If you need a bit more space to do so, that’s fine too. Just make sure to keep your audience in mind, and to use your bio to make a positive and memorable impression.

Writing a professional bio: templates and examples

When it comes to writing a professional bio, the stakes can be higher. Your bio is often the first introduction that potential clients, employers, or collaborators will have to you, so it’s important to make it count. A well-crafted professional bio can help establish your expertise, showcase your accomplishments, and set you apart from your competition.

One way to ensure that your professional bio hits all the right notes is to use a template or example as a starting point. Templates and examples can help guide you through the process of crafting a bio that is professional, engaging, and effective. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting out, there are plenty of resources available to help you create a bio that represents you and your work in the best possible light.

Professional bio templates

Here are a few professional bio templates that you can use as a starting point:

The short and sweet template: 

[Name] is a [profession] with [number] years of experience in [industry]. [He/She] has worked with [company names], and specializes in [skill or area of expertise]. [He/She] is passionate about [related interest or goal], and is committed to [related value or mission].

The longer, more detailed template: 

[Name] is a [profession] with over [number] years of experience in [industry]. [He/She] has worked with a range of clients and companies, including [company names], and has developed expertise in [skill or area of expertise]. [He/She] is particularly interested in [related interest or goal], and is committed to [related value or mission].

In addition to [profession], [Name] is also involved in [related or personal projects], and has been recognized for [accomplishments or awards]. [He/She] holds a [degree or certification] from [university or institution], and is a member of [professional organizations or affiliations].

When [he/she] is not working, [Name] enjoys [related hobbies or interests], and is actively involved in [community or volunteer work].

The narrative template: 

[Name] has always been passionate about [related interest or goal] and has pursued that passion through [related education or experience]. After [key experience or turning point], [he/she] realized that [related realization or insight], and has since dedicated [his/her] career to [related value or mission].

As a [profession], [Name] has worked with [company names], and has developed expertise in [skill or area of expertise]. [He/She] is committed to [related value or mission], and is always looking for new ways to [related goal or improvement].

In [his/her] free time, [Name] enjoys [related hobbies or interests], and is actively involved in [community or volunteer work]. [He/She] believes that [related belief or philosophy], and strives to live that out in [his/her] personal and professional life.

These are just a few examples of professional bio templates that you can use as a starting point. Remember, the key is to highlight your expertise, accomplishments, and values in a way that is engaging and professional. Customize these templates to fit your own unique voice and perspective, and you’ll be on your way to creating a bio that stands out.

Examples of professional bios

Here are a few examples of professional bios:

Professional Bio Example Bio 1

Jane Smith, Marketing Director Jane Smith is a seasoned marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She has worked with a variety of clients and companies, including Fortune 500 companies and startups. Jane specializes in content marketing, social media strategy, and brand development. She is passionate about helping companies tell their stories in a compelling and authentic way.

In addition to her work in marketing, Jane is also an avid traveler and photographer. She has visited over 20 countries and loves capturing the beauty of different cultures through her lens. Jane holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Texas at Austin.

Professional Bio Example Bio 2

John Doe, Software Developer John Doe is a software developer with a passion for building innovative solutions. He has over 8 years of experience in the field, and has worked on projects for companies ranging from small startups to large corporations. John specializes in front-end development, and is an expert in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

In his free time, John enjoys tinkering with new technologies and experimenting with different programming languages. He is also an active member of his local tech community, and frequently participates in hackathons and other programming events. John holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Stanford University.

Professional Bio Example Bio 3

Sarah Johnson, Nonprofit Executive Sarah Johnson is a nonprofit executive with a commitment to making a positive impact in her community. She has over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and has worked with organizations focused on everything from education to environmental conservation. Sarah specializes in strategic planning, fundraising, and community engagement.

Outside of her work in the nonprofit sector, Sarah is an avid runner and yoga practitioner. She believes that staying active is essential to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Sarah holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from the University of California, Los Angeles.

These are just a few examples of professional bios that showcase different backgrounds, experiences, and interests. Use these as inspiration to craft your own unique professional bio that highlights your strengths and accomplishments.

Writing in the first-person or third-person

When it comes to writing a professional bio, the choice between first-person and third-person can depend on the context and purpose of the bio.

In general, a third-person bio can give a more objective and professional tone, which can be beneficial for job applications or websites. It also allows for a level of detachment from the writer, which can be useful when highlighting accomplishments and experience.

On the other hand, a first-person bio can create a more personal and engaging tone, which can be beneficial for networking or social media profiles. It can help the reader feel like they are getting to know the writer on a more personal level, and can also allow for a greater sense of authenticity and personality.

Ultimately, the decision between first-person and third-person should be based on the context and purpose of the bio. It’s important to consider the audience and the intended message and choose the style that will best convey that message

Tips for writing a professional bio

If you are unsure where to start, here are some tips to help you craft a compelling and effective professional bio:

  • Start with a clear introduction: Your bio should start with a clear introduction that grabs the reader’s attention and gives them a sense of who you are and what you do.
  • Highlight your professional achievements: Your bio should highlight your professional achievements, including your education, work experience, and any notable accomplishments.
  • Use concise language: Use concise language to communicate your message effectively. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that your audience may not understand.
  • Include your personal brand: Incorporate your personal brand into your bio by using a consistent voice and tone throughout your writing.
  • Consider your audience: Your bio should be tailored to your intended audience. Consider who will be reading your bio and what they are looking for in a professional contact or colleague.
  • Show, don’t tell: Use concrete examples to illustrate your professional achievements and skills. This will help the reader understand your expertise and experience more effectively.
  • Edit and revise: Edit and revise your bio multiple times to ensure that it is error-free and effectively communicates your message.

By following these tips, you can craft a professional bio that effectively communicates your experience, expertise, and personal brand to your intended audience.

Mistakes to Avoid in a professional bio

When crafting a professional bio, there are some common mistakes that you should avoid to ensure that your bio is effective and impactful. Here are some mistakes to avoid when writing a professional bio:

  • Being too formal or impersonal: Your professional bio should be written in a professional tone, but it should also be personable and engaging. Avoid being too formal or using technical language that may be confusing to your audience.
  • Including irrelevant information: Your bio should focus on your professional experience, skills, and achievements. Avoid including irrelevant personal information or details that are not related to your professional background.
  • Using cliches or generic language: Avoid using cliches or generic language that does not effectively communicate your unique skills and experience.
  • Focusing too much on job titles: While job titles are important, they do not always accurately reflect a person’s skills or experience. Focus on the specific skills and accomplishments that make you stand out in your field.
  • Neglecting to update your bio: Your professional bio should be updated regularly to reflect any changes in your career, experience, or achievements.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can create a professional bio that effectively communicates your unique skills, experience, and personal brand to your intended audience.

Writing a short bio: examples and tips

Writing a short bio can be a challenging task, as you need to communicate key information about yourself and your professional background in just a few sentences. 

However, a well-crafted short bio can be a powerful tool for introducing yourself to potential clients, employers, or colleagues. 

In this section, we’ll provide some examples and tips for writing a short bio that effectively showcases your skills, experience, and personality. 

Whether you’re crafting a bio for your website, social media profile, or a professional networking event, these tips will help you create a concise and compelling introduction to your professional self.

Definition of a short bio

A short bio or a personal bio, is a brief summary of a person’s professional background, skills, and achievements. 

Typically, a short bio is limited to just a few sentences or paragraphs and is designed to give the reader a very quick and concise overview of the person’s experience and qualifications. 

Short bios are often used on social media profiles, personal websites, resumes, and other professional networking tools, and are an important tool for establishing a person’s personal brand and professional reputation.

Short bio examples

Here are some short bio examples to give you an idea of what a well-crafted bio looks like:

Short bio example 1

John Smith: Award-winning journalist with 10 years of experience covering international news. Currently working as a freelance writer and editor for various publications, including The New York Times and The Guardian.

Short bio example 2

Sarah Johnson: Marketing professional with a passion for branding and digital media. Specializes in developing creative campaigns that engage and inspire audiences. Currently serving as the Marketing Director at XYZ Corporation.

Short bio example 3

Dr. Jane Lee: Board-certified pediatrician with over 15 years of experience in the field. Passionate about improving children’s health through innovative treatment methods and community outreach programs. Currently practicing at ABC Hospital.

Short bio example 4

Alex Davis: Entrepreneur and business consultant with a focus on helping small businesses grow and succeed. Experienced in developing and implementing effective marketing strategies and managing teams for maximum efficiency. Founder and CEO of Davis Consulting Group.

Short bio example 5

Emily Rodriguez: Experienced graphic designer with a portfolio of award-winning projects for clients in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle industries. Currently freelancing and accepting new design projects.

These short bio examples showcase the person’s professional background, skills, and achievements in a concise and compelling way. 

They provide the reader with a quick snapshot of the person’s experience and qualifications and are a great tool for establishing a strong personal brand.

How to write a short bio that stands out

Writing a short bio that stands out can be challenging, but here are some tips to help you craft a compelling one:

  • Identify your key achievements and skills: Think about the most important things you have accomplished in your professional life, and the skills that have enabled you to achieve them. Highlighting these in your short bio can make it more impactful.
  • Focus on your unique value proposition: What sets you apart from others in your field? This could be your approach to problem-solving, your innovative ideas, or your particular expertise. Make sure your short bio emphasizes your unique selling points.
  • Keep it concise: A short bio should be just that – short. Stick to a few sentences that capture the essence of who you are and what you do. Aim for around 100 words or less.
  • Use an active voice: Writing in an active voice can make your short bio more engaging and dynamic. Use strong verbs to describe your accomplishments and highlight your contributions.
  • Tailor it to your audience: Consider who will be reading your short bio and what they are looking for. Customize your bio to fit the needs and interests of your target audience.

By following these tips, you can create a short bio that stands out and leaves a lasting impression on your readers.

Using a template for a short bio

Using a template for a short bio can be helpful in ensuring that you include all the necessary information while also keeping it concise and engaging. Here is an example of a template you can use for your short bio:

  • Introduction: Begin with your first and last name and a brief description of what you do.
  • Professional background: Highlight your relevant work experience, education, and any notable achievements.
  • Skills and expertise: List your areas of expertise and any relevant skills or certifications.
  • Personal interests: Share a few details about your personal interests or hobbies outside of work that showcase your personality.
  • Call-to-action: End with a call-to-action that encourages engagement or directs the reader to learn more about you.

Remember to keep your short bio focused and relevant to the situation and audience you are writing for. Use engaging language and highlight your unique value proposition to make a lasting impression.

Writing a personal bio: tips and tricks

A personal bio is a great way to showcase your personality, interests, and accomplishments. Whether you are building your personal brand or simply looking to share your story, a well-crafted personal bio can be a powerful tool. 

However, writing about yourself can be challenging as it’s easy to get caught up in the details or struggle to strike the right tone. 

In this section, we will explore some tips and tricks for crafting a compelling personal bio that captures who you are and what you stand for.

Definition of a personal bio

A personal bio is a written statement that provides information about your background, interests, achievements, and goals. 

It can be used for various purposes, such as introducing oneself on social media and creating a personal website are just a few examples. 

A personal bio often includes details such as education, work experience, hobbies, and personal values, as well as any notable achievements or accolades. 

The purpose of a personal bio is to give readers a sense of who the person is, what they have accomplished, and what motivates them.

Writing a personal bio in the first-person or third-person

When it comes to writing a personal bio, there is no hard and fast rule about whether to write it in the first-person or third-person. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and the context in which the bio will be used.

Writing in the first-person can create a more informal and conversational tone, which may be appropriate for social media profiles or personal websites. It allows the individual to speak directly to the reader and showcase their personality and voice.

On the other hand, writing in the third-person can create a more formal and professional tone, which may be more appropriate for a professional bio that I covered at the beginning of the article, or for use in a business or academic setting. Either way, it can help to establish credibility and give the impression of objectivity.

In general, it’s important to consider the purpose and audience of the bio when deciding on whether to write in the first-person or third-person.

Tips for writing a personal bio

When writing a personal bio, it is important to keep in mind that this type of bio is more casual and expressive than a professional bio. Here are some tips to help you write a personal bio:

  • Be yourself: Don’t try to sound like someone else or exaggerate your achievements. Be honest and authentic.
  • Tell a story: Use storytelling techniques to create an engaging and interesting narrative.
  • Use humor: If appropriate, inject some humor into your bio to make it more relatable and memorable.
  • Consider your audience: Think about who will be reading your bio and tailor it to their interests and expectations.
  • Highlight your passions: Use your bio as an opportunity to showcase your passions and hobbies.
  • Keep it concise: A personal bio doesn’t have to be long. Keep it short and sweet, but make sure it still conveys your personality and unique qualities.

What to include in a personal bio

When it comes to writing a personal bio, there are a few key elements that you should consider including.

These might include a brief summary of your professional background and achievements, any personal interests or hobbies that might be relevant or interesting to your audience, and perhaps a mention of your educational background or any notable certifications or qualifications you have obtained.

Additionally, you may want to consider highlighting any particularly noteworthy accomplishments, such as awards or recognition you have received, as well as any causes or charities that are important to you and that you actively support.

Ultimately, the goal of a personal bio is to help your readers get to know you better as a person, and to understand what makes you unique and interesting both personally and professionally.

Examples of personal bios

A personal bio is a great way to showcase your personality, interests, and accomplishments.

Whether you are building your personal brand, applying for a job, or simply looking to share your story, a well-crafted personal bio can be a powerful tool. However, writing about yourself can be challenging, and it’s easy to get caught up in the details or struggle to strike the right tone.

Tips for writing a bio for different situations

When writing a bio, it’s important to consider the specific situation and audience you are writing for. Here are some tips for crafting bios for different situations:

  • Business and professional bios: Focus on your skills, experience, and achievements that are relevant to your profession or industry. Emphasize your unique value proposition and any awards or recognitions you have received. Keep it professional and tailored to your audience.
  • Personal bios: Highlight your interests, hobbies, and personal experiences that have shaped who you are. Be authentic and showcase your personality. Consider your audience and tailor your bio accordingly.
  • Social media bios: Keep it concise and engaging. Use keywords and hashtags that are relevant to your brand or industry. Include a call to action to encourage engagement.
  • Speaking bios: Emphasize your expertise and experience as a speaker. Highlight any notable speaking engagements and the topics you are passionate about. Use a conversational tone to engage your audience.
  • Author bios: Emphasize your writing experience and any published works. Share your motivation for writing and your unique perspective. Be concise and engaging.

No matter the situation, it’s important to keep your bio focused, relevant, and engaging. By tailoring your bio to your audience and situation, you can create a compelling narrative that leaves a lasting impression.

Putting It All Together: Creating a standout bio

When it comes to creating a standout bio, it’s important to not only have a good understanding of what you want to convey but also to know how to put all the elements together in a way that makes sense and catches the reader’s attention. 

Just know that with a little trial and error, anyone can create a bio that truly stands out. In this section, we’ll discuss some key tips and strategies for putting together a bio that showcases your unique strengths and accomplishments, whether you’re crafting a personal or professional bio.

Determining the tone of your bio

When creating a standout bio, it’s important to consider the tone you want to convey. The tone of your bio should be consistent with your personal or professional brand and the message you want to communicate to your audience. 

Whether you want to come across as friendly and approachable or professional and polished, your tone can help set the right impression. It’s also important to consider your audience and what tone might resonate with them. 

For example, a playful and lighthearted tone might be appropriate for a social media profile, while a more serious and formal tone might be better suited for a professional bio on a company website.

How to make your bio memorable

To make your bio memorable, there are a few tips you can follow. First, focus on what makes you unique and highlight those aspects in your bio.

This could include your background, experiences, or personality traits that set you apart from others. Consider using storytelling techniques to make your bio more engaging and memorable. This could involve sharing an anecdote or personal story that helps the reader connect with you on a deeper level.

Another way to make your bio stand out is to use vivid language and creative phrasing. Avoid clichés and generic language, and instead choose words and phrases that are unexpected and interesting. 

Finally, make sure your bio is well-written and error-free. Take the time to proofread and edit your work, or even consider having someone else read it over for you.

A well-crafted and memorable bio can help you make a strong impression on potential employers, clients, or colleagues.

Showcasing your professional experience and achievements

One of the most important aspects of a standout bio is showcasing your professional experience and achievements. 

This can include your current job position, previous work experience, awards and recognitions, and any notable accomplishments or contributions to your industry. 

Make sure to highlight your unique skills and strengths that set you apart from others in your field. 

Use specific and quantitative language when possible, such as “increased sales by 25%” or “led a team of 10 employees.” This not only showcases your accomplishments but also demonstrates your ability to produce tangible results. 

By including these details in your bio, you can leave a lasting impression on potential clients, employers, or collaborators.

Adding personal details to your bio

Adding personal details to your bio can help to make it more memorable and showcase your unique personality.

However, it’s important to strike a balance between sharing enough information to make a connection with the reader and oversharing personal information that may not be relevant or appropriate. 

Consider including details such as your hobbies, interests, or unique experiences that have shaped you as a person. 

Additionally, if you have a personal brand or mission statement, incorporating it into your bio can help to tie everything together and create a cohesive narrative. 

Remember to keep the tone professional and avoid controversial topics that may be polarizing.

Using your bio for personal branding

Your bio can be a powerful tool for personal branding, helping you stand out in a crowded job market or online presence.

By incorporating your unique skills, experiences, and personality into your bio, you can create a brand that sets you apart and helps you achieve your goals.

To use your bio for personal branding, it’s important to consider your target audience and what they’re looking for. 

Highlight your relevant skills and experiences, and share your passions and values. Be authentic and let your personality shine through.

Also, make sure your bio is consistent across all of your online platforms, from LinkedIn to social media profiles – such as your Instagram bio for example. 

This will help you build a cohesive personal brand that makes a lasting impression.

Bios are like puzzles – they take time and effort to put together. But with the right elements, you can craft a bio that accurately reflects your unique story.

Don’t forget to draw on personal anecdotes or stories that make you stand out from the crowd. Writing your own compelling bio is an art form, but it’s one worth mastering if you want others to learn about who you really are.

So don’t be afraid of showing off all those special skills and talents! Let them shine through in your writing – after all, no one knows you better than yourself.

With practice and dedication, soon enough creating captivating bios will be as easy as pie for any writer.

Recommended Reading...

How to cite a lecture: a guide for students and professionals, proper way to write dates: from month to day to year, how to write an effective thesis statement: step by step guide, how to erase pen from paper using 10 effective ways.

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Joberty Blog

A Simple Guide to Professional Short Bios (With Examples)

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A short bio is practical whether you are a job seeker, a freelancer, or simply want to have a presence online. This will be the first impression a potential employer, client , or contact will have of you, so you need one that packs a punch and leaves a positive impression on your audience .

Your bio needs to be captivating for your profile to be worthwhile to recruiters. It's way easier than you might think. In this blog post, we’ll give you some tips and tricks to write a useful professional bio.

What is a short bio?

A short bio provides a quick overview of your identity and career goals to the outside world. It's all about showing your audience who you are, what you've done, and what you want to do. You can see them on social media, on resumes, on personal websites, and in company team directories. Think of a professional bio as the author's biography found on the back flap of a book. Simple, right?

biography is short for

What to include

Most social media platforms only allow one or two sentences, so the key is to be concise. Moreover, your bio should fit your resume’s header, and you know that a resume can’t exceed a single page. The basis for any short bio is

  • Your current job or education (if you’ve never had a job)
  • Your personal and professional goals
  • Your biggest achievement

Nevertheless, if you are planning on a resume, a personal website, or a job-seeking platform, you would also want to add the following information:

  • Where you’re based right now
  • Your skills and areas of expertise
  • Your passions and hobbies
  • Your availability

If you have no experience , just say it. Everyone has to start their career somewhere, and there is nothing wrong with that. In turn, include a sentence about yourself that might be intriguing and show determination. If you can outwit the “I’m passionate and stubborn” tribe and write something a bit more intriguing instead, you’ll catch the interest of an HR professional. It’s a given.

What you should consider for your short bio

If your bio draft is already short, to the point, and includes the bullets we outlined below, you’re on a good track. You should still pay attention to the following style suggestions:

Before you get into writing your bio, you need to find the voice that fits your needs the best. And by that, we mean first or third person . Are you going to talk as yourself, using “I” and “me”, or as someone else, using your name and pronouns? Your decision should be based completely on the purpose of your bio.

The best match for a somewhat informal bio is the first person. Talking as yourself is a great way to connect with your audience and makes you seem more approachable. It works wonders when you are trying to build a personal brand. Still, don’t overdo it. Don't start every sentence with “I”, It’ll make your writing look untidy. Using the third person is more effective in formal settings because it creates a distance between you and the reader. It’s more assertive and professional. This way, you are letting the facts speak for themselves.  

If you’re overly formal, you write a résumé instead of a resume and want to address your potential employer with very specific etiquette, you can always talk about yourself without using pronouns. This is aligned with very ceremonious settings such as academia. If you’re writing to a Computer Science department in a European university, you could describe yourself as: “Programmer with six years of experience in embedded systems, large-language models and AI research. Doctor Honoris Causa at Oxford University,” and such. If you’re consistent, it won’t read weird. And it proves that you took the time to investigate their tone, which is very positive.

2. Writing style

The words you choose to use in your bio will also affect its professionalism. You can play with the style to your liking to make it more formal, friendly, or witty. Remember to use accessible language throughout, especially when talking about your achievements. If all types of readers get the message, you’ve got yourself a winner.

The bottom line is that you should adapt. For very high-traffic websites, you can use a succinct and broad message, leaving wits aside. Now, if you’re sending applications to startups with a reputation for being laid back, you can put together a resume that has a humorous bio instead. Since having plenty of resumes for different audiences takes time, you can always lean on AI to get it done faster.

3. Be concise

The rule of thumb for short bios is to keep them short and sweet. You only have about six sentences to work with, so be sharp. To determine what information will be useful, you must consider two important factors:

  • Your target audience, and
  • Your goal (we’ll get onto this later)

Are you looking for a programmer position? Then include what programming languages you are fluent in and your experiences in the field. In this example, your past life as an Account Manager seems almost superfluous; however, they might be intrigued by it if you’re seeking employment that involves dealing with clients.

Your goal is getting hired, right? Most times, yes. Now, at a certain stage of your career, you might not be looking for a new job. You might want to be invited to conferences instead and build a name as a speaker, to give an example. Well, this case demands a different bio where you can flex your experience.

4. Use figures

AI resume builders got this one right. When you participate in a company, you’re part of a wider team. So if the company grew by 20% in revenue and landed an IPO while you actively worked there, you can very confidently say: “Helped a YC company grow 20% in revenue YoY thanks to our team’s scalable SaaS deployment.” You’re keeping it slightly veiled deliberately in case there’s an NDA in between. Don’t assign yourself merit if you didn’t do that, though. HR professionals are experts at spotting overinflated claims.

5. Add keywords

On social media networks and job boards, recruiters will search through keywords. Add words that are relevant to the job/role you are looking for, like “software developer”, “software engineer,” or the names of the programming languages you are fluent in. If you have a keyword-rich bio, you are one step closer to a new interview call.

6. Be authentic and don’t overthink it

To properly connect with your reader, your bio should humanize you. Mentioning some of your passions or hobbies will make your bio more relatable, and it will shine a light on your personality. In other words, be authentic, don't oversell yourself, and have fun with it. Don’t worry about trying to sound fancy or overqualified.

Real-life examples of successful bios

Our first example comes from one of the top software engineering startups in 2023 , Panorama Education ’s chief technology officer, Daniel Johnson .

“Danny Johnson loves to build organizations that deliver great software. He’s developed and led large product management and engineering teams at PeopleSoft, Oracle, Workday, and Ridgeline. In addition, he’s built organizations from the ground up across multiple functions and geographies.

He has 25+ years of experience delivering enterprise-class solutions to help customers achieve their business objectives with technology-forward solutions. Proven expertise from a disruptive startup to a global industry leader. Hands-on passion for building a lasting culture through hard work, leadership, and a focus on people.”

Notice how, even though he benefits from the professionalism of the third person, he uses the nickname, making the bio more welcoming. He accentuates his passion for software engineering and his accomplishments throughout his career. Saying he has worked on a “disruptive startup” emphasizes he’s always on the edge. In only six sentences, he shows us both his skills and his personality.

If you’re super successful, you can be very frank and go for something minimalist that still tells a story. Like Greg Brockman here, President and Co-Founder at OpenAI :

“I love to build.”

However, I wouldn't recommend doing that if you're still a rookie.

Awais Kamran’s example is great for a LinkedIn summary; unfortunately, it's too long. This will make it difficult to adapt it to other mediums, like resumes or social media. We are trying to build a professional short bio you can use and reuse in multiple settings.

Examples of short bios

“ Jennifer Hartman has a decade of expertise using the Java programming language and database development with SQL. Hartman is fluent in English, Spanish, and French and is enthusiastic about working with teams from abroad. She is detail-oriented and wants to strengthen her skills through on-the-job learning and coaching. Currently, she is searching for a remote job in software development.”

“Hi! My name is Paul, and I'm a professional software engineer with fifteen years of experience in the information technology and services industries. I've spent my career refining my talents in machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, IoT, real-time analytics, and AI solution design. My favorite project was the smart solar panel farm we developed in CO to power 20,000 homes in the U.S. — I’d be delighted to chat about it."

Both examples are keyword-rich and highlight achievements and experiences rather than roles. They show glimpses of their personalities by mentioning what they are passionate about and what they are looking for in the future. See the difference between writing in the first and third person? The first example is much more aloof and businesslike, while the second is more friendly and approachable, and includes a “call to action”: let’s chat.

Understanding company culture to write a specific bio

Now you know how easy it is to make a positive first impression . Now just remember to update it as you grow and learn. And if you make it to the interview , you should practice for typical questions like “ Why do you want to work here? ” and “ What are your greatest weaknesses? ” We’re offering company reviews that allow you to glimpse into company culture. And by understanding company culture, you might predict what kind of bio will have them intrigued. So check testimonials before you send your application their way. Good luck!

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5 Inspiring Short Bio Examples + How to Write a Professional Bio

biography is short for

Are you a business owner who wants to share your expertise but is unsure of how to stand out in a crowded marketplace? Maybe you want to write a book or create a course but there’s still the matter of convincing people of why they should trust you. This is where a professional bio comes in.

When you are building a personal brand , every word you use matters. In this article, we’ll break down the parts of a professional bio, walk through the steps of creating one, and share some short bio examples. 

This guide for writing a professional bio includes:

What is a professional bio.

Your professional bio is a short, curated snapshot of your education, accomplishments, and career highlights. Similar to an author bio , it gives background information on why you are qualified to do what you do, but unlike an author bio that focuses only on a book, a professional bio is a broader take on who you are as a business owner and your brand.

The best professional bios are streamlined, highly focused, and targeted to your audience. They condense all of your years of experience and knowledge into a bite-sized snippet that you can share across various mass media outlets like your website, podcasts, social media, television interviews, and speaking engagements .

Creating a short bio that resonates with readers and doesn’t sound like a boring list of accomplishments may sound like a tall order, but it’s doable with the right template. 

How do you write a professional bio?

The challenge that many career professionals face when trying to write a short bio is that there’s so much information to sift through. What do you include? What do you leave out? When do you use generalities? When do you get specific?

Here are some basic steps for writing a professional bio. 

Gather the necessary information. Prewriting is a great way to pull everything together.

  • Start with your personal brand. Think specifically about your current offer and the products and services that you sell. Write those down.
  • Define your audience. As a business owner, you likely have an avatar or multiple avatars (marketing personas) of your ideal customer. Before writing your professional bio, you’ll need to know who will be reading it.
  • Know your why. Where are you in your career currently? Why is now the time to define your personal brand? Knowing this will help you develop the tone for your professional bio. You don’t want your bio to be static and boring. You want it to have personality, and knowing your why will help you create an engaging one.

In this article, we’re focusing on short bios, and one of the best ways to get to a short bio is to start with a longer one. It’s easier to subtract from a short one than to try to make a short bio longer. You’ll need different bio lengths for different purposes, and starting with the longest and narrowing it down to the shortest will help make the process more efficient.

Here’s how to build your main bio.

There are several ways to write a professional bio, but one of the easiest is to use the 5-paragraph structure that’s common in personal essays: introduction, body, and conclusion. 

Writing it in the third person is standard and often viewed as more formal and professional, but some opt for the first person which has a more casual feel. 

  • Introduction (1 paragraph) – This opening paragraph sets the stage for the rest of the bio. You can start from your childhood if it’s relevant or whatever point on the timeline when your career focus began to take shape. Some even begin with their current title and position and move on from there. Wherever you start, you want this paragraph to catch everyone up to where you are now so you can tell them where you’re going.
  • Body (3 paragraphs) – Your body paragraphs are where you “flesh out” your history. It’s your story. This is where you talk about your education, your accomplishments, and the whys that motivate you to do what you do.
  • Conclusion (1 paragraph) – This is where you tell your reader where you are going—your vision for your brand and the people that you serve. 

Once you’ve written your full bio (up to 400 words, give or take), you’ll want to cut it to about 200 words to create the shorter version. This is where you go from specifics to generalities. For example, in a longer bio, you might mention the subject of your dissertation as it relates to your current career path, but in the shorter bio, it would suffice to say you received a Ph.D. and from where. 

5 short bio examples

Below I’ve shared 5 short bio examples from business owners who’ve put in the work to create outstanding personal brands. Some are solopreneurs whose personal and company brands are the same, while others head up large companies and have chosen to separate their personal brand from the company’s. 

The first example from Whitney Johnson, the CEO and co-founder of Disruption Advisors shows her full bio (pulled from her LinkedIn profile). Underneath you’ll find the shortened version she displays on her website. I found even shorter versions on her YouTube and Twitter (X) pages. This is a good example of how to take a longer bio and shorten it.

1. Whitney Johnson

Area of expertise or Industry: Leadership training

Products / Services: Coaching, public speaking, books, workshops

Short Bio Examples - Whitney Johnson

Full bio ( source )

Word count – 372

Whitney Johnson is the CEO of Disruption Advisors (thedisruptionadvisors.com), a leadership development company, helping you grow your people to grow your business.

A Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Amazon bestselling author, Whitney was named by Thinkers50 as one of the ten leading business thinkers in the world (2021). She is a world class keynote speaker and a popular lecturer for Harvard Business Publishing’s Corporate Learning. She has 1.7 million followers on LinkedIn where she was selected as a Top Voice in 2020. Her course on Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship has been viewed more than one million times, and her LinkedIn Lives have more than 1 million cumulative views. In 2017, she was selected from more than 17,000 candidates for the initial cohort of Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches, and was named as the #1 Talent Coach.

Johnson is a frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review, as well as the author of the WSJ bestselling Smart Growth, Build an A Team, a Financial Times Book of the Month, and the critically acclaimed Disrupt Yourself. In these books, she codifies the S Curve of Learning and the Seven Accelerants of Personal Disruption, both of which operationalize disruption theory by applying it to the individual. Integral to her work is the weekly Disrupt Yourself Podcast which has millions of downloads. Guests have included Brené Brown, Adam Grant, Susan Cain, and Stephen M.R. Covey.

Johnson was the cofounder of the Disruptive Innovation Fund with Harvard Business School’s Clayton Christensen, through which they invested in and led the $8 million seed round for South Korea’s Coupang, currently valued at more than $25 billion. She was involved in fund formation, capital raising and the development of the fund’s strategy.

A former award-winning Wall Street stock analyst, Johnson applies her understanding of momentum and growth in stocks to people. She was an Institutional Investor–ranked equity research analyst for eight consecutive years, rated by Starmine as a superior stock-picker. As an equity analyst, stocks under coverage included America Movil (NYSE: AMX), Televisa (NYSE: TV) and Telmex (NYSE: TMX), which accounted for roughly 40% of Mexico’s market capitalization.

She is married, has two children, and lives in Lexington, Virginia, where her family grows strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries and enjoys making jam.

Short bio (source)

Word count – 188

Whitney Johnson , CEO and Co-Founder of Disruption Advisors, is a world-class coach globally recognized thought leader, author, keynote speaker, and consultant helping organizations operationalize a high-growth mindset in their leaders and teams. 

Whitney is the WSJ, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author of Smart Growth: How to Grow Your People to Grow Your Company (Harvard Business Press, 2022). She shares her passion for personal disruption, helping individuals transform their lives, careers, teams, and companies through her keynote addresses; her popular podcast Disrupt Yourself; lectures at Harvard Business School’s Corporate Learning; the award-winning books How to Build an A Team , Disrupt Yourself , and Dare, Dream, D o; and frequent article contributions to the Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review.

Whitney is ranked a top talent coach by Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches, recognized by Thinkers50 as one of the top 10 leading business thinkers in the world, and named Inc.’s 200 Female Founders of 2023. She is co-founder of the Disruptive Innovation Fund with Clayton Christensen, and a former award-winning stock analyst on Wall Street, Whitney Johnson now applies her understanding of momentum and growth in stocks to people.

2. Tiffany Dufu

Area of expertise or industry: Peer coaching

Products / Services: books, public speaking

Short Bio Examples - Tiffany Dufu

Short Bio ( source )

Word count: 203

Tiffany Dufu is founder of The Cru, a peer-coaching tech company acquired by Luminary in 2023. Their algorithm matches circles of women who collaborate to meet their personal and professional goals. She’s also the author of the bestselling book Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less. According to foreword contributor Gloria Steinem, Drop the Ball is “important, path-breaking, intimate and brave.”

Named to Entrepreneur’s 100 Powerful Women and Fast Company’s League of Extraordinary Women, Tiffany has raised nearly $20 million toward the cause of women and girls. She is a frequent speaker on women’s leadership and has presented at Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Women Summit, MAKERS and TEDWomen. She was a launch team member to Lean In and was Chief Leadership Officer to Levo, one of the fastest growing millennial professional networks. Prior to that, Tiffany served as President of The White House Project, as a Major Gifts Officer at Simmons University, and as Associate Director of Development at Seattle Girls’ School.

Tiffany is a member of Women’s Forum New York, Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc. and is a Lifetime Girl Scout. She serves on the board of Simmons University and lives in New York City with her husband and two children.

3. Chris Do

Area of expertise or industry: Brand design

Products / Services: public speaking, courses, workshops

Short Bio Examples - Chris Do

Word count: 123

First-person example

As the Founder and CEO of The Futur, I have over 27 years of experience in brand design, strategy, and consultancy, working with clients such as Microsoft, Sony, Nike, and Starbucks. I am passionate about helping people realize their value and communicate it to others, whether through design, content, education, or coaching.

I am also a sought-after public speaker and mentor, delivering keynote speeches, workshops, and courses at various events, conferences, and organizations around the world. I share my insights and expertise on topics such as branding, business, creativity, and social media marketing, reaching millions of people through my YouTube channel, podcast, and online platform. My mission is to empower the next generation of creative entrepreneurs and leaders to achieve their full potential.

4. Andrew Huberman, Ph.D

Area of expertise or industry: neuroscience

Products / Services: public speaking

Short Bio Examples - Andrew Huberman, Ph.d

Word count: 228

Andrew Huberman, Ph.D., is a neuroscientist and tenured professor in the department of neurobiology, and by courtesy, psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford School of Medicine. He has made numerous significant contributions to the fields of brain development, brain function and neural plasticity, which is the ability of our nervous system to rewire and learn new behaviors, skills and cognitive functioning.

Huberman is a McKnight Foundation and Pew Foundation Fellow and was awarded the Cogan Award in 2017, given to the scientist making the most significant discoveries in the study of vision. His lab’s most recent work focuses on the influence of vision and respiration on brain states such as fear and high attention focus and developing rapid and effective tools for mitigating stress and improving sleep and other physiological metrics.

Work from the Huberman Laboratory at Stanford School of Medicine has been published in top journals including Nature, Science and Cell and has been featured in TIME, BBC, Scientific American, Discover and other top media outlets.

In 2021, Dr. Huberman launched the Huberman Lab podcast. The podcast is frequently ranked in the top 10 of all podcasts globally and is often ranked #1 in the categories of Science, Education, and Health & Fitness.

Alongside hosting the Huberman Lab podcast, Andrew Huberman is the co-founder of Scicomm Media, and actively invests in and advises a handful of businesses. 

5. Amy Porterfield

Area of expertise or industry: entrepreneurship

Products / Services: public speaking, book, courses

Short Bio Examples - Amy Porterfield

Word count: 204

I help entrepreneurs build businesses online. My areas of expertise include how to start and grow an email list, how to create digital courses and how to promote and sell courses online using webinars.

About My Podcast, Online Marketing Made Easy

How do I start an online business? Grow my email list to thousands of subscribers? Sell more and grow faster? These are just some of the big questions that leading online marketing strategist, Amy Porterfield, digs into on the top-ranked Online Marketing Made Easy Podcast.

Featuring insights from A-List online marketing experts (Russell Brunson, Jamie Kern Lima, Rick Mulready, Marie Forleo, etc.) as well as mini marketing masterclasses and step-by-step guides, each episode is designed to help you take immediate action on the most important strategies for starting, scaling and automating your online business.

My specialty is getting into the online trenches with you. Thinking about creating an online course? Want to promote with webinars? Need help building your email list? Discover why hundreds of thousands of online business owners turn to me to generate more profits and to make sense of the online marketing space, implement the strategies that really get results, and turn that side hustle into a business that lasts.

  • How to Create a Successful Author Media Kit
  • About the Author Pages: Writing a Great One (8 Examples)

Final thoughts

When you are designing your personal brand, how you present yourself to the world will define how the world sees you. A well-written, engaging professional bio will pull newcomers into your world and invite them to stay awhile and look around. A dry, static list of your credentials will do the opposite—push potential followers away. 

By using the easy-to-follow guidelines above and learning from the short bio examples shared, you can create a standout professional bio that demands attention. 

Are you interested in sharing your expertise with the world as an authorpreneur ? Have you given serious thought to writing a book to grow your business ? A book makes a great lead magnet to build your audience. Selfpublishing.com has a team of experts ready to show you how to create a book funnel and start growing your personal brand today!

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COMMENTS

  1. How to Write a Short Bio: 5 Examples and Templates

    How to Write a Short Bio Part 1. What to Include in a Short Professional Bio Part 2. Example of a Formal Short Bio Part 3. Example of a Casual Short Bio Part 4. Examples of Well-Written Short Bios Part 5. Short Bio: Best Templates Part 6. Tips for Writing a Short Bio Part 7. Optimizing Your Bio for Different Platforms Part 8.

  2. How To Write a Professional Short Bio (With Examples)

    Here are some steps you can follow to help you write a successful short bio: 1. Choose a voice. The first step in writing a short bio is deciding on a voice. For our purposes, choosing a voice involves deciding whether you are writing in the first or third person. Writing in the first person means using the words "I" and "me", and writing in ...

  3. How to Write a Short Bio: 7 Things to Put in Your Bio

    6. Keep your bio short and sweet. Your personal bio should concisely recap all your professional experience with a little flair and personality, but perhaps as important as what to include is what not to include. Boil down your life story into as short a word count as you can. Exclude any extraneous details.

  4. How to write a short professional bio (examples included)

    A short bio is an important tool for personal branding and professional networking. Whether you're applying for jobs, updating your online profiles, or working on an elevator pitch, a concise and compelling bio can make a great first impression.It's your personal spiel, giving others a snapshot of who you are, what you do, and what you stand for.

  5. The Best Short Professional Bios (Examples + Templates)

    Your short bio should include your brand, your accomplishments, and your values and goals. Your short bio should be one to three short paragraphs or four to eight sentences long. Knowing how to write a concise, informative, and interesting biography about yourself can help throughout various parts of the professional process.

  6. 27 of the Best Professional Bio Examples I've Ever Seen [+ Templates]

    Lisa gets creative by mentioning the brands she's worked with and highlighting some of her favorite projects. Written in the third person, this bio invites the reader behind a metaphorical door to meet Lisa as a professional, traveler, learner, wife, and mother. 11. Nancy Twine: Hair Care Founder.

  7. How to Write a Short Bio? (With Examples)

    That holds true even for a short professional bio. It may only be a couple hundred words, but they're very important words. Keep it concise, relevant, and engaging, and the right doors will open to propel you along your career journey. The best way to get the right details into your short professional bio is to use information from your resume.

  8. 11 Tips On How To Write A Personal Biography + Examples

    2. Introduce yourself… like a real person. This is one of the most important pieces of understanding how to write a personal biography. Always start with your name. When many people start learning how to write a bio, they skip this important part. People need to know who you are before they learn what you do.

  9. How to write a professional bio (with examples and templates)

    A short bio, short for biography, is a concise summary of a your life or professional background. It provides a brief overview of your key achievements, qualifications, experiences, and relevant details. Typically written in the third person, a short bio is often used in various contexts, such as professional profiles, social media accounts ...

  10. 40 Short Professional Bio Examples and How To Write Your Own

    Here are 40 two-sentence short professional bio examples to help you write your own: "I'm Jane Hong, and I recently graduated with an advanced diploma from Smith secondary school. I'm seeking an internship where I can apply my skills in content creation and increase my experience in digital marketing." "I'm John Grayson, and I'm a recent ...

  11. 6 short professional bios and how to write one yourself

    1. Identify the bio's purpose and gather information. Good news — if you followed along in the previous section, then you've already arrived at this step. Knowing why you're writing the bio, who you expect to read it, and how you want to present yourself to that reader is important to the bio writing process. 2.

  12. How to Write a Short Bio: Tips and Examples for Crafting Your Story

    A biography, or bio for short, is a written account of someone's life. A professional bio briefly summarizes a person's achievements, skills, and background used for professional purposes. In today's digital age, having a professional bio is essential, as it is often people's first impression of you online.

  13. How to Write a Short Professional Bio (With Examples and Templates)

    Example 1: "A recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Sally is currently a consultant at XYZ Consulting based out of their New York office.". Example 2: "A recent UPenn grad, Sally swore off econ after years of hard classes only to end up as a consultant at a major firm — but don't worry, she loves it.". ‍.

  14. How To Write a Personal Bio (Plus Tips and Examples)

    3. Choose a point of view. In a personal bio, you can either write in a first-person or third-person point of view. First-person language uses words like "I," "we" and "me" to describe yourself. It's a good idea to write in the first person if you want to make a personal connection with your audience.

  15. How to Write Short Professional Bios with Examples

    LinkedIn Bio Example. In your "About" section on LinkedIn, you'll be given a maximum character limit of 2,600 to write your bio. That comes out to a maximum of about 400-500 words. However, you'll generally want it shorter than that to ensure those who come across your profile read your entire bio.

  16. 50+ Short Professional Bio Examples for 2024

    Short Professional Bio Examples - Conclusion. Writing a short professional bio is a powerful way for effectively communicating your professional identity.. Whether you're showcasing your expertise on LinkedIn, introducing yourself at a networking event, or presenting at a conference, a work bio should be concise, compelling, and tailored to your audience.

  17. How to Write a Short Professional Bio (Templates & Examples)

    How to Write a Bio. Now we'll go into detail on how to write a short bio. The two templates above serve only as a framework, so feel free to add or delete some sentences as you see fit. Use the step-by-step instructions below as a general guideline for customizing the short bio templates above, or write one from scratch. Step 1.

  18. How to Write a Bio That Stands Out

    Definition of a short bio. A short bio or a personal bio, is a brief summary of a person's professional background, skills, and achievements. Typically, a short bio is limited to just a few sentences or paragraphs and is designed to give the reader a very quick and concise overview of the person's experience and qualifications.

  19. How to Write a Biography: 6 Tips for Writing Biographical Texts

    See why leading organizations rely on MasterClass for learning & development. Biographies are how we learn information about another human being's life. Whether you want to start writing a biography about a famous person, historical figure, or an influential family member, it's important to know all the elements that make a biography worth ...

  20. How To Write A Short Bio: The Essential Tips

    This brief template will show you exactly how to write the perfect short bio for your website or portfolio. Line 1: [Name] is a [job title] who [job description]. Example: Robin Gillham is a Content Writer who writes engaging and informative content for a number of high-level clients.

  21. A Simple Guide to Professional Short Bios (With Examples)

    A short bio is practical whether you are a job seeker, a freelancer, or simply want to have a presence online. This will be the first impression a potential employer, client, or contact will have of you, so you need one that packs a punch and leaves a positive impression on your audience. Your bio needs to be captivating for your profile to be worthwhile to recruiters.

  22. 5 Professional Short Bio Examples + How to Write One

    Here's how to build your main bio. There are several ways to write a professional bio, but one of the easiest is to use the 5-paragraph structure that's common in personal essays: introduction, body, and conclusion. Writing it in the third person is standard and often viewed as more formal and professional, but some opt for the first person ...